Photo: P199 · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Wilton’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilton gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #124 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Wilton 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 Wilton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilton, and Wilton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #124 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wilton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maine town has lower expected damage than 70% of U.S. towns; within the state, Wilton has more expected damage per building than 87% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Wilton: $957K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilton flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilton, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $56K
Wilton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilton
Disasters that paid out in Wilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding22 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$43K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$8K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$79K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$6K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$11K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$2K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
Show all 16
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$23K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$38K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$18K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2005Snow$17K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$15K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2003Snow$12K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$11K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2001Snow$20K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
Franklin County has had 29 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 Wilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilton archive →Wilton and its neighbors
Wilton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Jay | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Wilton | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Dixfield | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Chesterville | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Temple | — | 824 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Wilton 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 Wilton
Is Wilton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilton has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #124 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (24%). 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 Wilton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Wilton since 1987, $67K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (1).
Is Wilton 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 Franklin County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wilton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilton’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 Wilton?
By FEMA money that reached Wilton, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): $79K to the Town of Wilton for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 1 paid, $56K.
Is Wilton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Wilton’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilton’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.