Days Ferry Historic District · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0Woolwich’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woolwich gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #93 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%), then coastal flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2009.
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 Woolwich’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Woolwich 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
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 Woolwich’s grade
River and rain flooding is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woolwich, and Woolwich’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 29%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #93 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Woolwich’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, Woolwich has more expected damage per building than 65% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $941K a year in losses across Woolwich: $851K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woolwich flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woolwich, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Woolwich 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woolwich
Disasters that paid out in Woolwich itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Woolwich), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$41K to the Town of Woolwich for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$19K to the Town of Woolwich for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding10 households applied for aid$14K 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 Woolwich after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woolwich archive →Woolwich and its neighbors
Woolwich is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Woolwich | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bowdoinham | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bath | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Wiscasset | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dresden | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Arrowsic | — | 597 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Westport Island | — | 835 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 Woolwich 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.
- 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 Woolwich
Is Woolwich at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woolwich has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #93 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%) and coastal flooding (29%). 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 Woolwich flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Woolwich since 2009, $6K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Woolwich 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 Woolwich?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woolwich’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 Woolwich?
By FEMA money that reached Woolwich, Severe Storm and Flooding (2017): $41K to the Town of Woolwich for repairs.
Is Woolwich at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Woolwich’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woolwich.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woolwich’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.