Photo: Unknown photographer · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Norway faces less hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norway gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #69 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1986.
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 Norway 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 Norway’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norway, and Norway’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #69 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Norway’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, Norway has less expected damage per building than 52% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Norway: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norway flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norway, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Norway isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oxford County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norway
Disasters that paid out in Norway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Norway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding7 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$29K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$42K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$9K to the Town of Norway for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$17K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding13 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$175K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$93K to the Town of Norway for repairs
Show all 14
- 2005Record Snow$15K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2005Snow$15K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$8K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$11K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$3K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2001Snow$16K to the Town of Norway for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$13K to the Town of Norway for repairs
Oxford County has had 34 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 Norway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norway archive →Norway and its neighbors
Norway is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Paris | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Norway | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Otisfield | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Oxford | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Waterford | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| South Paris | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Greenwood | — | 781 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 Norway 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 Norway
Is Norway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norway has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #69 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) 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 Norway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Norway since 1986, $38K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Norway 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 Oxford County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Norway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norway’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 Norway?
By FEMA money that reached Norway, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 13 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $175K to the Town of Norway for repairs.
Is Norway at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Norway’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norway’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.