Photo: Paul VanDerWerf from Brunswick, Maine, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Old Orchard Beach’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 75% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Old Orchard Beach gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #57 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 215 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 Old Orchard Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Old Orchard Beach 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 Old Orchard Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Old Orchard Beach, and Old Orchard Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #57 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Old Orchard Beach’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Maine town has lower expected damage than 70% of U.S. towns; within the state, Old Orchard Beach has less expected damage per building than 61% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Old Orchard Beach: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Old Orchard Beach flood? Yes: 215 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Old Orchard Beach, from FEMA’s records: 27.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter16 claims · $237K
- The “Halloween” storm6 claims · $74K
Old Orchard Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: York County.17 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Old Orchard Beach
Disasters that paid out in Old Orchard Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Old Orchard Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$16K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding59 households applied for aid$213K aid approved$1.2M to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$290K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$36K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$30K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$24K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
Show all 17
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$809 to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$50K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$116K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding40 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$331K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$12K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$3K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
- 2005Snow$15K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$15K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$19K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$830 to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs
- 2001Snow$8K to the Town of Old Orchard Beach 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 Old Orchard Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Old Orchard Beach archive →Old Orchard Beach and its neighbors
Old Orchard Beach has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Orchard Beach | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 215 |
| Scarborough | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 95 |
| Saco | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 217 |
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 Old Orchard Beach 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.
- Old Orchard Beach residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Old Orchard Beach
Is Old Orchard Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Old Orchard Beach has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #57 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Old Orchard Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 215 claims in Old Orchard Beach since 1978, $4.0M in all, or 27.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (16).
Is Old Orchard Beach 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 Old Orchard Beach?
Old Orchard Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Old Orchard Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Old Orchard Beach, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 59 households applied for aid, $213K approved, and $1.2M to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 16 paid, $237K.
Is Old Orchard Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Old Orchard Beach’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Old Orchard Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Old Orchard Beach’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.