Steep Falls Library · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Standish faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Standish gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #30 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
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 Standish 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 Standish’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Standish, and Standish’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #30 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Standish’s residents live in 3 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, Standish has less expected damage per building than 80% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Standish: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Standish flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Standish, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Standish 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 Standish
Disasters that paid out in Standish itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Standish), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$199K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding30 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$43K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$22K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$31K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$43K to the Town of Standish for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 14
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$95K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding40 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$39K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$19K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2005Snow$18K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$21K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$20K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Standish for repairs
- 2001Snow$26K to the Town of Standish 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 Standish after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Standish archive →Standish and its neighbors
Standish is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buxton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Raymond | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sebago | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Baldwin | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Standish | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Gorham | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Windham | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Limington | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hollis | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Steep Falls | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| North Windham | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Standish 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 Standish
Is Standish at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Standish has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #30 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Standish flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Standish since 2005, $8K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Standish 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 Standish?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Standish’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 Standish?
By FEMA money that reached Standish, Severe Winter Storm (2024): $199K to the Town of Standish for repairs.
Is Standish at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Standish’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Standish.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Standish’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.