Photo: BMRR from en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Wells’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wells gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #119 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%), then coastal flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 468 claims here since 1978.
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 Wells’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wells 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
Coastal flooding
Hurricanes
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 Wells’ grade
River and rain flooding is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wells, and Wells’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 35%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #119 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wells’ 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, Wells has more expected damage per building than 83% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Wells: $6.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wells flood? Yes: 468 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wells, from FEMA’s records: 48.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm120 claims · $969K
- The April 2007 nor’easter55 claims · $707K
Wells 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.19 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wells
Disasters that paid out in Wells itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wells), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$99K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding97 households applied for aid$319K aid approved$2.3M to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$145K to the Town of Wells for repairs35 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$25K to the Town of Wells for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storm and Flooding$588K to the Town of Wells for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$9K to the Town of Wells for repairs
Show all 19
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$43K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$49K to the Town of Wells for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$9K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$52K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$134K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding50 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$426K to the Town of Wells for repairs58 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding194 households applied for aid$150K aid approved$132K to the Town of Wells for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$144K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$14K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$22K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2001Snow$16K to the Town of Wells for repairs
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 Wells after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wells archive →Wells and its neighbors
Wells is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Berwick | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| South Berwick | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Kennebunk | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 261 |
| Ogunquit | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Wells | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 468 |
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 Wells 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- 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 Wells
Is Wells at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wells has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #119 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%) and coastal flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wells flood?
Flood insurance has paid 468 claims in Wells since 1978, $8.6M in all, or 48.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 41 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (120).
Is Wells 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 Wells?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wells’ 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 Wells?
By FEMA money that reached Wells, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 97 households applied for aid, $319K approved, and $2.3M to the Town of Wells for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 120 paid, $969K.
Is Wells at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Wells’ rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wells.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wells’ 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.