Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Rockland than in 86% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockland gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #12 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (42%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Rockland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rockland 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
Ice storms
Coastal flooding
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 Rockland’s grade
Hurricanes are 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rockland, and Rockland’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A #12 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rockland’s residents live in 2 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, Rockland has less expected damage per building than 92% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Rockland: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rockland flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rockland, 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.
Rockland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Knox County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rockland
Disasters that paid out in Rockland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rockland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$514K to the City of Rockland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$91K to the City of Rockland for repairs
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$7K to the City of Rockland for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$22K to the City of Rockland for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$65K to the City of Rockland for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$26K to the City of Rockland for repairs
Show all 12
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$17K to the City of Rockland for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$85K to the City of Rockland for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding18 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$105K to the City of Rockland for repairs
- 2007Flooding$40K to the City of Rockland for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$20K to the City of Rockland for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$25K to the City of Rockland for repairs
Knox County has had 25 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 Rockland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rockland archive →Rockland and its neighbors
Rockland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockland | Aless damage than 86% | hurricanes | 7 |
| Rockport | A−less damage than 83% | hurricanes | — |
| Thomaston | B+less damage than 65% | hurricanes | 6 |
| Warren | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Owls Head | Bless damage than 65% | hurricanes | 11 |
| South Thomaston | Bless damage than 65% | hurricanes | 4 |
| North Haven | — | 480 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 Rockland 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Rockland
Is Rockland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockland has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #12 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (42%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rockland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Rockland since 1978, $93K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rockland 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 Knox County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rockland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rockland’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 Rockland?
By FEMA money that reached Rockland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 18 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $514K to the City of Rockland for repairs.
Is Rockland at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Rockland’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rockland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rockland’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.