Photo: Unknown photographer · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Shapleigh faces less hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shapleigh gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #28 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (23%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Shapleigh 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
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 Shapleigh’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shapleigh, and Shapleigh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #28 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shapleigh’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, Shapleigh has less expected damage per building than 81% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $518K a year in losses across Shapleigh: $438K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shapleigh flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Shapleigh. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Shapleigh isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shapleigh
Disasters that paid out in Shapleigh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Shapleigh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$91K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$243 aid approved
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$33K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$4K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$13K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$17K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$14K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$6K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$60K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$11K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding16 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$110K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$17K to the Town of Shapleigh 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 Shapleigh after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shapleigh archive →Shapleigh and its neighbors
Shapleigh is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acton | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Newfield | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Shapleigh | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Sanford | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Alfred | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Shapleigh 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.
- 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 Shapleigh
Is Shapleigh at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shapleigh has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #28 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Shapleigh 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 Shapleigh?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shapleigh’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 Shapleigh?
By FEMA money that reached Shapleigh, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 16 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $110K to the Town of Shapleigh for repairs.
Is Shapleigh at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Shapleigh’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shapleigh.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shapleigh’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.