Old York Gaol · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in York than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, York gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #68 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 350 claims here since 1978.
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 York’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What York 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.
What’s behind York’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in York, and York’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #68 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
York’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Maine town has lower expected damage than 70% of U.S. towns; within the state, York has less expected damage per building than 53% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across York: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does York flood? Yes: 350 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in York, from FEMA’s records: 39.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm46 claims · $717K
- The April 2007 nor’easter20 claims · $418K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $7K
York is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: York County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to York
Disasters that paid out in York itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of York), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding45 households applied for aid$149K aid approved43 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding11 households applied for aid$4K aid approved21 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding148 households applied for aid$107K aid approved89 flood claims paid that year
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 York after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the York archive →York and its neighbors
York has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| York | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 350 |
| Eliot | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| South Berwick | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Kittery | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Ogunquit | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
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 York 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.
- York residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in York
Is York at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, York has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #68 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does York flood?
Flood insurance has paid 350 claims in York since 1978, $7.7M in all, or 39.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 32 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (46).
Is York 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 York?
York is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in York?
By FEMA money that reached York, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 45 households applied for aid, $149K approved. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 46 paid, $717K.
Is York at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and York’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in York.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where York’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.