Lakewood Theater · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Madison faces less hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #75 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1978.
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 Madison 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
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 Madison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madison, and Madison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #75 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Madison’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maine town has lower expected damage than 70% of U.S. towns; within the state, Madison has more expected damage per building than 52% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Madison: $900K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madison flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter2 claims · $202K
Madison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madison
Disasters that paid out in Madison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Madison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding19 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$82K to the Town of Madison for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$13K to the Town of Madison for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$7K to the Town of Madison for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$13K to the Town of Madison for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$9K to the Town of Madison for repairs
- 2005Snow$12K to the Town of Madison for repairs
Show all 12
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$14K to the Town of Madison for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of Madison for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$19K to the Town of Madison for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Madison for repairs
- 2001Snow$11K to the Town of Madison for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$34K to the Town of Madison for repairs
Somerset County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Madison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madison archive →Madison and its neighbors
Madison has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Skowhegan | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Cornville | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Anson | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Norridgewock | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Solon | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Starks | — | 556 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 Madison 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.
- 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 Madison
Is Madison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #75 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (33%). 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.
Does Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Madison since 1978, $287K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (2).
Is Madison 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 Somerset County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Madison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madison’s 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 Madison?
By FEMA money that reached Madison, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 19 households applied for aid, $64K approved, and $82K to the Town of Madison for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 2 paid, $202K.
Is Madison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Madison’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madison’s 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.