Surry Town Hall · Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Surry than in 76% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surry gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%), then hurricanes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Surry’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Surry 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 Surry’s grade
River and rain flooding is 37% of the building damage FEMA expects in Surry, and Surry’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Surry’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $448K a year in losses across Surry: $326K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Surry flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Surry, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Surry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Surry
Disasters that paid out in Surry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Surry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$325K to the Town of Surry for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$8K to the Town of Surry for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Town of Surry for repairs
- 2007Flooding$32K to the Town of Surry for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$3K to the Town of Surry for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$2K to the Town of Surry for repairs
Show all 7
- 2001Snow$3K to the Town of Surry for repairs
Hancock County has had 18 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 Surry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Surry archive →Surry and its neighbors
Surry is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penobscot | Aless damage than 88% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Blue Hill | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Surry | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Trenton | B+less damage than 70% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Mount Desert | Bless damage than 61% | hurricanes | — |
| Ellsworth | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Surry 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 Surry
Is Surry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surry has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%) and hurricanes (35%). 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 Surry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Surry since 1998, $28K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Surry 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 Hancock County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Surry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Surry’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 Surry?
By FEMA money that reached Surry, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 6 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $325K to the Town of Surry for repairs.
Is Surry at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (37%), and Surry’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Surry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Surry’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.