Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0For ice storms, Milford’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milford gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #134 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 41 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 Milford 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 Milford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milford, and Milford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #134 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Milford’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, Milford has more expected damage per building than 94% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $835K a year in losses across Milford: $695K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milford flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milford, from FEMA’s records: 27.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Milford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Penobscot County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milford
Disasters that paid out in Milford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Milford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$6K to the Town of Milford for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$32K to the Town of Milford for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Snow$5K to the Town of Milford for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$6K to the Town of Milford for repairs
- 2001Snow$2K to the Town of Milford for repairs
Penobscot County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Milford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milford archive →Milford and its neighbors
Milford is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Milford 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 Milford
Is Milford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milford has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #134 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (9%). 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 Milford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Milford since 1978, $340K in all, or 27.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Milford 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 Penobscot County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Milford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milford’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 Milford?
By FEMA money that reached Milford, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 22 households applied for aid, $26K approved, and $32K to the Town of Milford for repairs.
Is Milford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Milford’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milford’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.