James Leavitt House · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Waterboro’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterboro gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #64 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2007.
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 Waterboro 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 Waterboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waterboro, and Waterboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #64 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waterboro’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, Waterboro has less expected damage per building than 56% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Waterboro: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waterboro flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waterboro, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $11K
Waterboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waterboro
Disasters that paid out in Waterboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Waterboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding23 households applied for aid$20K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
York County has had 35 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 Waterboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waterboro archive →Waterboro and its neighbors
Waterboro is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limerick | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lyman | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Limington | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Waterboro | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Alfred | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hollis | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lake Arrowhead | — | 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 Waterboro 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 Waterboro
Is Waterboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterboro has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #64 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waterboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Waterboro since 2007, $20K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (2).
Is Waterboro 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 York County, 3.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Waterboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waterboro’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 Waterboro?
By FEMA money that reached Waterboro, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 23 households applied for aid, $20K approved. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $11K.
Is Waterboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Waterboro’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waterboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waterboro’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.