Gov. Abner Coburn House · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Skowhegan’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Skowhegan gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #99 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1984.
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 Skowhegan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Skowhegan 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 Skowhegan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Skowhegan, and Skowhegan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #99 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Skowhegan’s residents live in 4 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, Skowhegan has more expected damage per building than 69% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Skowhegan: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Skowhegan flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Skowhegan, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter3 claims · $54K
Skowhegan is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Skowhegan
Disasters that paid out in Skowhegan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Skowhegan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding88 households applied for aid$161K aid approved$82K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$828K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$20K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$11K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$4K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
Show all 13
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$41K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2005Snow$20K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$17K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$6K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
- 2001Snow$25K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs
Somerset 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 Skowhegan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Skowhegan archive →Skowhegan and its neighbors
Skowhegan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Skowhegan | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Canaan | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cornville | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fairfield | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Norridgewock | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
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 Skowhegan 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.
- Skowhegan 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 Skowhegan
Is Skowhegan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Skowhegan has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #99 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Skowhegan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Skowhegan since 1984, $124K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (3).
Is Skowhegan 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 Somerset County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Skowhegan?
Skowhegan 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 Skowhegan?
By FEMA money that reached Skowhegan, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): $828K to the Town of Skowhegan for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 3 paid, $54K.
Is Skowhegan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Skowhegan’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Skowhegan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Skowhegan’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.