Blossom House · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Monmouth’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monmouth gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #22 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1983.
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 Monmouth 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 Monmouth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monmouth, and Monmouth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #22 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Monmouth’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, Monmouth has less expected damage per building than 85% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $883K a year in losses across Monmouth: $712K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monmouth flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monmouth, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $1K
Monmouth 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monmouth
Disasters that paid out in Monmouth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Monmouth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding12 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$40K to the Town of Monmouth for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$17K to the Town of Monmouth for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$17K to the Town of Monmouth for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$31K to the Town of Monmouth for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$9K to the Town of Monmouth for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$18K to the Town of Monmouth for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Monmouth for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$3K to the Town of Monmouth 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 Monmouth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monmouth archive →Monmouth and its neighbors
Monmouth is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Winthrop | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Monmouth | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Litchfield | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Wales | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Gardiner | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Leeds | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Monmouth 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 Monmouth
Is Monmouth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monmouth has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #22 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hurricanes (25%). 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 Monmouth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Monmouth since 1983, $12K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Monmouth 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 Monmouth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monmouth’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 Monmouth?
By FEMA money that reached Monmouth, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 12 households applied for aid, $30K approved, and $40K to the Town of Monmouth for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Monmouth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Monmouth’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monmouth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monmouth’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.