Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in West Kennebunk
West Kennebunk isn’t graded for hazard risk: West Kennebunk is a Census area inside a town, graded with the town. Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1978.
What West Kennebunk 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
Earthquakes
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.
Does West Kennebunk flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Kennebunk, from FEMA’s records.
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $82K
West Kennebunk 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.The storms West Kennebunk remembers
None of the 35 disasters declared for York County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Kennebunk itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19782 flood claims paidThe year of High Winds, Tidal Surge and Coastal Flooding, declared for York County
- 19911 flood claims paidThe year of Coastal Storm, declared for York County
- 20061 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for York County
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 West Kennebunk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Kennebunk archive →Get ready for what West Kennebunk 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Kennebunk
Does West Kennebunk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in West Kennebunk since 1978, $86K in all. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (1).
Is West Kennebunk 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 West Kennebunk?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Kennebunk’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 Kennebunk?
By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 1 paid, $82K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Kennebunk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Kennebunk’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.