Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Saco’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saco gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #79 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 217 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 Saco’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Saco 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 Saco’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saco, and Saco’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #79 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saco’s residents live in 5 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, Saco has more expected damage per building than 55% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Saco: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saco flood? Yes: 217 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saco, from FEMA’s records: 22.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter41 claims · $1.0M
- The “Halloween” storm32 claims · $373K
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $13K
Saco is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: York County.18 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saco
Disasters that paid out in Saco itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Saco), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$72K aid approved$784K to the City of Saco for repairs32 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$88K to the City of Saco for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storm and Flooding$430K to the City of Saco for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$55K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$78K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$102K to the City of Saco for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 18
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$20K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$69K to the City of Saco for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$185K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$49K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding106 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$549K to the City of Saco for repairs41 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$5K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$25K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2005Snow$32K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$35K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$40K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$80K to the City of Saco for repairs
- 2001Snow$50K to the City of Saco 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 Saco after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saco archive →Saco and its neighbors
Saco is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buxton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Dayton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| 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 |
| Biddeford | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 180 |
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 Saco 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.
- Saco 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 Saco
Is Saco at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saco has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #79 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saco flood?
Flood insurance has paid 217 claims in Saco since 1978, $4.2M in all, or 22.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (41).
Is Saco 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 Saco?
Saco 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 Saco?
By FEMA money that reached Saco, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 34 households applied for aid, $72K approved, and $784K to the City of Saco for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 41 paid, $1.0M.
Is Saco at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Saco’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saco.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saco’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.