Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Norridgewock’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norridgewock gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #116 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Norridgewock 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 Norridgewock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norridgewock, and Norridgewock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #116 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Norridgewock’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, Norridgewock has more expected damage per building than 81% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Norridgewock: $760K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norridgewock flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norridgewock, from FEMA’s records: 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter6 claims · $475K
Norridgewock 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norridgewock
Disasters that paid out in Norridgewock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Norridgewock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding52 households applied for aid$126K aid approved$115K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$25K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$28K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$35K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$9K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$24K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
Show all 12
- 2005Snow$11K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$10K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$9K to the Town of Norridgewock 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 Norridgewock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norridgewock archive →Norridgewock and its neighbors
Norridgewock 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Skowhegan | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Fairfield | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Norridgewock | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Starks | — | 556 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mercer | — | 718 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Smithfield | — | 856 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 Norridgewock 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 Norridgewock
Is Norridgewock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norridgewock has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #116 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (27%). 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 Norridgewock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Norridgewock since 1978, $548K in all, or 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (6).
Is Norridgewock 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 Norridgewock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norridgewock’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 Norridgewock?
By FEMA money that reached Norridgewock, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 52 households applied for aid, $126K approved, and $115K to the Town of Norridgewock for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 6 paid, $475K.
Is Norridgewock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Norridgewock’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norridgewock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norridgewock’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.