Storms, floods and disasters in Moscow
Moscow isn’t graded for hazard risk: Moscow has 865 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
What Moscow 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.
Does Moscow flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moscow, from FEMA’s records.
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $25K
Moscow isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moscow
Disasters that paid out in Moscow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Moscow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding11 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$884K to the Town of Moscow for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$9K to the Town of Moscow for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$3K to the Town of Moscow for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$2K to the Town of Moscow for repairs
- 2005Snow$2K to the Town of Moscow for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$1K to the Town of Moscow for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$4K to the Town of Moscow for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$4K to the Town of Moscow for repairs
Somerset County has had 25 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 Moscow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moscow archive →Moscow and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Ridge plantation | — | 87 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Caratunk | — | 101 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bingham | — | 660 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 Moscow 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 Moscow
Does Moscow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Moscow since 2023, $25K in all. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (1).
Is Moscow 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 Somerset County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Moscow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moscow’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 Moscow?
By FEMA money that reached Moscow, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 11 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $884K to the Town of Moscow for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 1 paid, $25K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moscow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moscow’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.