Photo: Public domain · Public domainFor ice storms, Union’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Union’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Union 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 Union’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Union, and Union’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Union’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $616K a year in losses across Union: $462K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Union flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Union, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Union isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Knox County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Union
Disasters that paid out in Union itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Union), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$79K to the Town of Union for repairs
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$5K to the Town of Union for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$14K to the Town of Union for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$15K to the Town of Union for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$7K to the Town of Union for repairs
Show all 13
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$60K to the Town of Union for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$25K to the Town of Union for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$119K to the Town of Union for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$20K to the Town of Union for repairs
- 2007Flooding$78K to the Town of Union for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$32K to the Town of Union for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$12K to the Town of Union for repairs
Knox County has had 25 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 Union after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Union archive →Union and its neighbors
Union is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hope | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Waldoboro | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Warren | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Washington | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Union | Bless damage than 60% | 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 Union 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 Union
Is Union at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (38%). 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 Union flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Union since 1987, $15K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Union 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 Knox County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Union?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Union’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 Union?
By FEMA money that reached Union, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): $119K to the Town of Union for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Union at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Union’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Union.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Union’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.