Photo: Peter Dutton from Forest Hills, Queens, USA · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, South Portland faces less hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Portland gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #18 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 South Portland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Portland 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
Coastal flooding
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 Portland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Portland, and South Portland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #18 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Portland’s residents live in 7 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 Portland has less expected damage per building than 88% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across South Portland: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Portland flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Portland, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $18K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $11K
South Portland 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.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Portland
Disasters that paid out in South Portland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Portland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding32 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$447K to the City of South Portland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$11K to the City of South Portland for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$82K to the City of South Portland for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$141K to the City of South Portland for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$22K to the City of South Portland for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$196K to the City of South Portland for repairs
Show all 14
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding113 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$198K to the City of South Portland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$80K to the City of South Portland for repairs
- 2005Snow$55K to the City of South Portland for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$70K to the City of South Portland for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$99K to the City of South Portland for repairs
- 2003Snow$69K to the City of South Portland for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$12K to the City of South Portland for repairs
- 2001Snow$84K to the City of South Portland for repairs
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 South Portland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Portland archive →South Portland and its neighbors
South Portland is 3rd of the 4 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 |
| Portland | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| South Portland | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Scarborough | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 95 |
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 Portland 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.
- 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.
- 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 South Portland
Is South Portland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Portland has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #18 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Portland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in South Portland since 1978, $384K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (2).
Is South Portland 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 South Portland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Portland’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 South Portland?
By FEMA money that reached South Portland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 32 households applied for aid, $61K approved, and $447K to the City of South Portland for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $18K.
Is South Portland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and South Portland’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Portland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Portland’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.