Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Machias’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Machias gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (30%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Machias faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Ice storms
Coastal flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Machias’ grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Machias, and Machias’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Machias’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $910K a year in losses across Machias: $790K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Machias flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Machias. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Machias isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Machias
Disasters that paid out in Machias itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Machias), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$8K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$6K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$34K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$2K to the Town of Machias for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$3K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 2003Snow$2K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 2001Snow$4K to the Town of Machias for repairs
Washington County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Machias after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Machias archive →Machias and its neighbors
Machias is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machiasport | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Machias | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Marshfield | — | 499 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Whitneyville | — | 170 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Roque Bluffs | — | 369 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Machias faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Machias
Is Machias at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Machias has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (30%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Machias in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Washington County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Machias?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Machias’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Machias?
By FEMA money that reached Machias, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): $34K to the Town of Machias for repairs.
Is Machias at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Machias’ rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Machias.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Machias’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.