Moore, Henry D., Parish House and Library · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0Steuben’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steuben gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1980.
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 Steuben 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
Coastal flooding
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 Steuben’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Steuben, and Steuben’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Steuben’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $464K a year in losses across Steuben: $397K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Steuben flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Steuben, 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.
Steuben isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Steuben
Disasters that paid out in Steuben itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Steuben), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$655K to the Town of Steuben for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$1K to the Town of Steuben for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$20K to the Town of Steuben for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Washington County has had 20 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 Steuben after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Steuben archive →Steuben and its neighbors
Steuben is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gouldsboro | B−less damage than 52% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Milbridge | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cherryfield | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Steuben | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Steuben 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.
- 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.
- 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 Steuben
Is Steuben at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steuben has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and hurricanes (32%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Steuben flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Steuben since 1980, $59K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Steuben 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 Washington County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Steuben?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Steuben’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 Steuben?
By FEMA money that reached Steuben, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 28 households applied for aid, $26K approved, and $655K to the Town of Steuben for repairs.
Is Steuben at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Steuben’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Steuben.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Steuben’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.