Photo: The postcard was published by the Hugh C. Leighton Company, Portland, Maine. · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Winterport than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winterport gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #138 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Winterport 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 Winterport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winterport, and Winterport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #138 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Winterport’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, Winterport has more expected damage per building than 96% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Winterport: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winterport flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Winterport. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Winterport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waldo County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winterport
Disasters that paid out in Winterport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Winterport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$16K to the Town of Winterport for repairs
- 2007Flooding$14K to the Town of Winterport for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$19K to the Town of Winterport for repairs
Waldo 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 Winterport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winterport archive →Winterport and its neighbors
Winterport 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orrington | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hampden | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Frankfort | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bucksport | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Winterport | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Monroe | — | not graded yet | |
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 Winterport 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 Winterport
Is Winterport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winterport has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #138 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (20%). 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.
Is Winterport 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 Waldo County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Winterport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winterport’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 Winterport?
By FEMA money that reached Winterport, Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams (2005): $19K to the Town of Winterport for repairs.
Is Winterport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Winterport’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winterport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winterport’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.