FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Manchester than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2012.
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 Manchester 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
Earthquakes
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 Manchester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manchester, and Manchester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Manchester’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $496K a year in losses across Manchester: $396K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manchester flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manchester, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Manchester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kennebec County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manchester
Disasters that paid out in Manchester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Manchester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding27 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$45K to the Town of Manchester for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$81K to the Town of Manchester for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$63K to the Town of Manchester for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$3K to the Town of Manchester for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$36K to the Town of Manchester for repairs
Kennebec County has had 22 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 Manchester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manchester archive →Manchester and its neighbors
Manchester is 2nd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Readfield | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Manchester | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Winthrop | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| West Gardiner | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Belgrade | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Farmingdale | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Augusta | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Hallowell | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
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 Manchester 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Manchester
Is Manchester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (26%). 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 Manchester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Manchester since 2012, $2K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Manchester 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 Kennebec County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manchester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manchester’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 Manchester?
By FEMA money that reached Manchester, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): $81K to the Town of Manchester for repairs.
Is Manchester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Manchester’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manchester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manchester’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.