Morrell House · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts North Berwick’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Berwick gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #56 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1996.
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 North Berwick 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
Earthquakes
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 North Berwick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Berwick, and North Berwick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #56 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Berwick’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, North Berwick has less expected damage per building than 61% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across North Berwick: $905K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Berwick flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Berwick, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
North Berwick isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Berwick
Disasters that paid out in North Berwick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Berwick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$103K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$8K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$22K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$24K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
Show all 15
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$13K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$119K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding14 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$224K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding30 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$18K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Snow$14K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$13K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$16K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$25K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
- 2001Snow$16K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs
York County has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of North Berwick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Berwick archive →North Berwick and its neighbors
North Berwick is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| North Berwick | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| South Berwick | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Lebanon | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Berwick | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Wells | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 468 |
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 North Berwick 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 North Berwick
Is North Berwick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Berwick has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #56 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (29%). 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 North Berwick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in North Berwick since 1996, $113K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is North Berwick 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 York County, 3.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in North Berwick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Berwick’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 North Berwick?
By FEMA money that reached North Berwick, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 14 households applied for aid, $13K approved, and $224K to the Town of North Berwick for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $5K.
Is North Berwick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and North Berwick’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Berwick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Berwick’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.