Mill Cove School · Photo: Vanessa White · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts West Bath’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 71% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Bath gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (36%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1994.
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 West Bath’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Bath faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 West Bath’s grade
Coastal flooding is 36% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Bath, and West Bath’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Bath’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $576K a year in losses across West Bath: $523K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Bath flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Bath, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Bath isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sagadahoc County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to West Bath
Disasters that paid out in West Bath itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Bath), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Sagadahoc County has had 19 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 West Bath after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Bath archive →West Bath and its neighbors
West Bath is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Phippsburg | B+less damage than 71% | coastal flooding | 21 |
| West Bath | B+less damage than 71% | coastal flooding | 3 |
| Harpswell | B+less damage than 69% | coastal flooding | 20 |
| Bath | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 West Bath faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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 West Bath
Is West Bath at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Bath has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (36%) and river and rain flooding (31%). 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 West Bath flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in West Bath since 1994, $22K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Bath 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 Sagadahoc County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Bath?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Bath’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 West Bath?
By FEMA money that reached West Bath, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 6 households applied for aid, $6K approved.
Is West Bath at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (36%), and West Bath’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Bath.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Bath’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.