Winslow Homer Studio · Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Scarborough’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 69% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scarborough gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #75 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 95 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 Scarborough’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Scarborough 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 Scarborough’s grade
River and rain flooding is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scarborough, and Scarborough’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 20%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #75 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scarborough’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, Scarborough has more expected damage per building than 52% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Scarborough: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scarborough flood? Sometimes: 95 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scarborough, from FEMA’s records: 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter14 claims · $142K
- The “Halloween” storm8 claims · $43K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $93K
Scarborough isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cumberland County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Scarborough
Disasters that paid out in Scarborough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Scarborough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding53 households applied for aid$263K aid approved29 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding83 households applied for aid$34K aid approved14 flood claims paid that year
Cumberland County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Scarborough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scarborough archive →Scarborough and its neighbors
Scarborough is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Elizabeth | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| South Portland | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Gorham | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| 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 |
| Westbrook | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Scarborough 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Scarborough
Is Scarborough at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scarborough has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #75 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Scarborough flood?
Flood insurance has paid 95 claims in Scarborough since 1978, $1.4M in all, or 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (14).
Is Scarborough 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 Cumberland County, 1.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Scarborough?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scarborough’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 Scarborough?
By FEMA money that reached Scarborough, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 53 households applied for aid, $263K approved. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 14 paid, $142K.
Is Scarborough at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Scarborough’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scarborough.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scarborough’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.