Meadow Bridge · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Shelburne
Shelburne isn’t graded for hazard risk: Shelburne has 530 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2023.
What Shelburne 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
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 Shelburne flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shelburne, from FEMA’s records.
- The December nor’easter3 claims · $44K
Shelburne isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coos County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shelburne
Disasters that paid out in Shelburne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Shelburne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$8K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$2K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$2K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2003Snow$2K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2001Snow$1K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
Coos 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 Shelburne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shelburne archive →Shelburne and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorham | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Shelburne 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.
- 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 Shelburne
Does Shelburne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Shelburne since 2023, $44K in all. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (3).
Is Shelburne 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 Coos County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shelburne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shelburne’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 Shelburne?
By FEMA money that reached Shelburne, Severe Storm and Flooding (2017): $8K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 3 paid, $44K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shelburne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shelburne’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.