Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Van Buren’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Buren gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1984.
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 Van Buren’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Van Buren 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
Earthquakes
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 Van Buren’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Van Buren, and Van Buren’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Van Buren’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Van Buren: $518K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Van Buren flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Van Buren, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Van Buren isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Aroostook County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Van Buren
Disasters that paid out in Van Buren itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Van Buren), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$229K aid approved$38K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs
- 2005Snow$16K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs
- 2005Snow$10K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$7K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs
- 2003Snow$4K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs
Show all 10
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$14K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs
- 2001Snow$3K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$23K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs
Aroostook County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Van Buren after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Van Buren archive →Van Buren and its neighbors
Van Buren has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Grand Isle | — | 407 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hamlin | — | 111 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Cyr plantation | — | 59 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Van Buren 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Van Buren
Is Van Buren at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Buren has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Van Buren flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Van Buren since 1984, $3K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Van Buren 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 Aroostook County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Van Buren?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Van Buren’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 Van Buren?
By FEMA money that reached Van Buren, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 36 households applied for aid, $229K approved, and $38K to the Town of Van Buren for repairs.
Is Van Buren at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Van Buren’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Van Buren.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Van Buren’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.