Photo: Bcody80 · Public domainFEMA puts Orono’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orono gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #77 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1987.
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 Orono 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 Orono’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orono, and Orono’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #77 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orono’s residents live in 3 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, Orono has more expected damage per building than 54% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Orono: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orono flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orono, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Orono isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Penobscot County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orono
Disasters that paid out in Orono itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Orono), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$54K to the Town of Orono for repairs
- 2005Snow$18K to the Town of Orono for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$22K to the Town of Orono for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Orono for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Orono for repairs
- 2001Snow$11K to the Town of Orono for repairs
Penobscot County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Orono after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orono archive →Orono and its neighbors
Orono 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eddington | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Orono | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Bangor | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Glenburn | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Bradley | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Old Town | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Orono 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 Orono
Is Orono at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orono has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #77 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orono flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Orono since 1987, $161K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Orono 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 Penobscot County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Orono?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Orono’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 Orono?
By FEMA money that reached Orono, Severe Storm and Flooding (2017): $54K to the Town of Orono for repairs.
Is Orono at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Orono’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orono.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orono’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.