Photo: Captain-tucker · CC BY-SA 3.0Ogunquit’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ogunquit gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 58 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 Ogunquit’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ogunquit 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
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 Ogunquit’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ogunquit, and Ogunquit’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ogunquit’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Ogunquit: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ogunquit flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ogunquit, from FEMA’s records: 27.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm10 claims · $315K
- The April 2007 nor’easter8 claims · $255K
Ogunquit is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: York County.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ogunquit
Disasters that paid out in Ogunquit itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ogunquit), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$888K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$259K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storm and Flooding$1.1M to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$9K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$18K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$67K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs
Show all 16
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$6K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$49K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$62K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding3 households applied for aid$347K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$40K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$244K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs
- 2005Snow$10K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$8K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$16K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Ogunquit after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ogunquit archive →Ogunquit and its neighbors
Ogunquit is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Ogunquit 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.
- 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.
- Ogunquit residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ogunquit
Is Ogunquit at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ogunquit has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (24%). 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 Ogunquit flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Ogunquit since 1978, $1.9M in all, or 27.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (10).
Is Ogunquit 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 Ogunquit?
Ogunquit is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Ogunquit?
By FEMA money that reached Ogunquit, Severe Storm and Flooding (2018): $1.1M to the Town of Ogunquit for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 10 paid, $315K.
Is Ogunquit at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Ogunquit’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ogunquit.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ogunquit’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.