Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Warren than in 65% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warren gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #88 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
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 Warren’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Warren 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 Warren’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Warren, and Warren’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #88 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Warren’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maine town has lower expected damage than 70% of U.S. towns; within the state, Warren has more expected damage per building than 61% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $970K a year in losses across Warren: $737K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Warren flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Warren, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Warren 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Warren
Disasters that paid out in Warren itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Warren), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$29K to the Town of Warren for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$8K to the Town of Warren for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$19K to the Town of Warren for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$11K to the Town of Warren for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$63K to the Town of Warren for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the Town of Warren for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding10 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$2K to the Town of Warren for repairs
- 2007Flooding$31K to the Town of Warren for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$10K to the Town of Warren 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 Warren after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Warren archive →Warren and its neighbors
Warren is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockland | Aless damage than 86% | hurricanes | 7 |
| Rockport | A−less damage than 83% | hurricanes | — |
| Cushing | B+less damage than 66% | hurricanes | — |
| Waldoboro | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Thomaston | B+less damage than 65% | hurricanes | 6 |
| Warren | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| 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 Warren 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 Warren
Is Warren at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warren has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #88 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and hurricanes (37%). 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 Warren flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Warren since 2023, $47K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Warren 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 Warren?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Warren’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 Warren?
By FEMA money that reached Warren, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $63K to the Town of Warren for repairs.
Is Warren at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Warren’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Warren.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Warren’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.