Photo: Unknown photographer · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Millinocket faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Millinocket gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #136 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1981.
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 Millinocket 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 Millinocket’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Millinocket, and Millinocket’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #136 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Millinocket’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, Millinocket has more expected damage per building than 95% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Millinocket: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Millinocket flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Millinocket, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Millinocket 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Millinocket
Disasters that paid out in Millinocket itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Millinocket), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$12K to the Town of Millinocket for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Snow$19K to the Town of Millinocket for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$14K to the Town of Millinocket for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Millinocket for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Millinocket for repairs
- 2001Snow$6K to the Town of Millinocket 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 Millinocket after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Millinocket archive →Get ready for what Millinocket 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 Millinocket
Is Millinocket at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Millinocket has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #136 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Millinocket flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Millinocket since 1981, $16K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Millinocket 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 Millinocket?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Millinocket’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 Millinocket?
By FEMA money that reached Millinocket, Snow (2005): $19K to the Town of Millinocket for repairs.
Is Millinocket at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Millinocket’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Millinocket.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Millinocket’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.