More hazard damage per building is expected in Mexico than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mexico gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1979.
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 Mexico 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
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 Mexico’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mexico, and Mexico’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #143 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mexico’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, Mexico has more expected damage per building than 100% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Mexico: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mexico flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mexico, from FEMA’s records: 37.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter10 claims · $785K
Mexico isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oxford County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mexico
Disasters that paid out in Mexico itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Mexico), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding102 households applied for aid$692K aid approved$366K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$225K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$70K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$18K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$10K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
- 2005Snow$10K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$11K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$10K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
- 2001Snow$23K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$22K to the Town of Mexico for repairs
Oxford County has had 34 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 Mexico after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mexico archive →Mexico and its neighbors
Mexico is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Dixfield | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Rumford | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Mexico | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Roxbury | — | 352 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Carthage | — | 845 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 Mexico 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.
- 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 Mexico
Is Mexico at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mexico has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (11%). 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 Mexico flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Mexico since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 37.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (10).
Is Mexico 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 Oxford County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mexico?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mexico’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 Mexico?
By FEMA money that reached Mexico, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 102 households applied for aid, $692K approved, and $366K to the Town of Mexico for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 10 paid, $785K.
Is Mexico at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Mexico’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mexico.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mexico’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.