South Berwick, Maine Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
South Berwick faces flooding from the Salmon Falls River and Great Works River. Heavy rainfall events cause these rivers to overflow and threaten properties in low-lying areas.
York County has recorded 2,666 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $44.4M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 1
NFIP Policies
4,259
York County
Avg. Premium
$1,395/yr
York County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: York County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $25.9M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $5.3M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $12.5M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: York County
York County has been included in 13 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 5 earlier declarations since 1970.
These declarations affected communities across York County, including South Berwick.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: York County
Properties in York County have filed 2,666 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $44.4M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $17K.
Highest-Claim Years
2024
498 claims - $21.2M
1991
492 claims - $4.4M
1978
344 claims - $2.4M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: York County
An estimated 5% of households in York County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk with below-average insurance coverage.
Penetration Rate
5%
Claims Ratio
1 in 2
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$16,636
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: York County
York County has 201 properties with multiple flood losses, including 29 severe repetitive loss properties. 1 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
201
Severe Rep. Loss
29
Mitigated
1
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: YORK County
NOAA has recorded 41 flood events in YORK County since 1996, causing $52.2M in damage and 2 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: York County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 18 properties in York County, investing $133K in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in South Berwick
South Berwick faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in South Berwick are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $25.9M.
Riverine flood risk in South Berwick is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any South Berwick address.
Flood Insurance Discount: South Berwick
South Berwick participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). South Berwick's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
South Berwick, ME Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in South Berwick, ME?
The most common FEMA flood zones in South Berwick are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in South Berwick?
If your South Berwick property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in South Berwick?
Enter your South Berwick address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does South Berwick offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. South Berwick participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has South Berwick experienced major flooding events?
York County, where South Berwick is located, has been part of 13 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Lee in 2023. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in South Berwick?
York County has recorded 2,666 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $44.4M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2024, with 498 claims and $21.2M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including South Berwick.
How many flood insurance policies are active in South Berwick?
York County currently has 4,259 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,395. The most policies are in Zone AE (2,151 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many South Berwick properties have flooded repeatedly?
York County has 201 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 29 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my South Berwick property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in South Berwick?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In South Berwick's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Maine Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any South Berwick, ME Address
Enter a South Berwick, ME address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.