Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Waterville’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterville gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #120 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Waterville 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 Waterville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waterville, and Waterville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #120 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waterville’s residents live in 4 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, Waterville has more expected damage per building than 84% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Waterville: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waterville flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waterville, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter2 claims · $72K
Waterville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kennebec County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waterville
Disasters that paid out in Waterville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waterville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding93 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$68K to the City of Waterville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$38K to the City of Waterville for repairs
- 2003Snow$29K to the City of Waterville for repairs
Kennebec County has had 22 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 Waterville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waterville archive →Waterville and its neighbors
Waterville is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Waterville 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 Waterville
Is Waterville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterville has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #120 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waterville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Waterville since 1987, $364K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (2).
Is Waterville 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 Kennebec County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waterville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waterville’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 Waterville?
By FEMA money that reached Waterville, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 93 households applied for aid, $81K approved, and $68K to the City of Waterville for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 2 paid, $72K.
Is Waterville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Waterville’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waterville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waterville’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.