On FEMA’s figures, Northport faces less hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northport gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (35%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 stands out about Northport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northport faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Coastal flooding
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 Northport’s grade
Hurricanes are 35% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northport, and Northport’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Northport’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $463K a year in losses across Northport: $380K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northport flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northport, from FEMA’s records: 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Northport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waldo County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northport
Disasters that paid out in Northport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Northport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$21K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$77K to the Town of Northport for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$50K to the Town of Northport for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$5K to the Town of Northport for repairs
- 2007Flooding$78K to the Town of Northport for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$16K to the Town of Northport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Waldo 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 Northport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northport archive →Northport and its neighbors
Northport is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | A−less damage than 76% | hurricanes | 18 |
| Lincolnville | B+less damage than 73% | hurricanes | 14 |
| Northport | B+less damage than 73% | hurricanes | 9 |
| Belmont | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Islesboro | — | 636 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 Northport faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Northport
Is Northport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northport has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (35%) and river and rain flooding (30%). 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 Northport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Northport since 1978, $153K in all, or 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Northport 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 Waldo County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northport’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 Northport?
By FEMA money that reached Northport, Flooding (2007): $78K to the Town of Northport for repairs.
Is Northport at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (35%), and Northport’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northport’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.