Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in South Berwick than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Berwick gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #87 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1991.
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 South Berwick’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Berwick 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 South Berwick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Berwick, and South Berwick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #87 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Berwick’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, South Berwick has more expected damage per building than 61% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across South Berwick: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Berwick flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Berwick, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter4 claims · $73K
South Berwick is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: York County.17 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Berwick
Disasters that paid out in South Berwick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of South Berwick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$42K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$316K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$167K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$12K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$32K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$42K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
Show all 17
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$5K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$75K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$64K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$83K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding34 households applied for aid$72K aid approved$122K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding45 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$64K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Snow$23K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$20K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$25K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs
- 2001Snow$33K to the Town of South Berwick 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 South Berwick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Berwick archive →South Berwick and its neighbors
South Berwick is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Berwick | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| York | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 350 |
| Eliot | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| South Berwick | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Rollinsford | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Berwick | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Dover | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Wells | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 468 |
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 South Berwick 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.
- South Berwick residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in South Berwick
Is South Berwick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Berwick has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #87 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Berwick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in South Berwick since 1991, $335K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% 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 (4).
Is South Berwick 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 South Berwick?
South Berwick is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 South Berwick?
By FEMA money that reached South Berwick, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 6 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $316K to the Town of South Berwick for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 4 paid, $73K.
Is South Berwick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and South Berwick’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Berwick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Berwick’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.