Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainFEMA puts Topsham’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 74% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Topsham gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #59 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1987.
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 Topsham’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Topsham 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 Topsham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Topsham, and Topsham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #59 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Topsham’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, Topsham has less expected damage per building than 59% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Topsham: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Topsham flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Topsham, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Topsham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sagadahoc County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Topsham
Disasters that paid out in Topsham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Topsham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$69K to the Town of Topsham for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$9K to the Town of Topsham for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$26K to the Town of Topsham for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$13K to the Town of Topsham for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$68K to the Town of Topsham for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding7 households applied for aid$385 aid approved$23K to the Town of Topsham for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Topsham for repairs
Sagadahoc County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Topsham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Topsham archive →Topsham and its neighbors
Topsham is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Durham | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Topsham | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lisbon | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bowdoinham | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bowdoin | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bath | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Lisbon Falls | — | 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 Topsham 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 Topsham
Is Topsham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Topsham has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #59 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Topsham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Topsham since 1987, $19K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Topsham 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 Sagadahoc County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Topsham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Topsham’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 Topsham?
By FEMA money that reached Topsham, Severe Storm and Flooding (2017): $69K to the Town of Topsham for repairs.
Is Topsham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Topsham’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Topsham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Topsham’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.