Southwest Harbor, Maine Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island faces coastal flooding from Atlantic storms and rising sea levels. The harbor and surrounding low-lying areas are vulnerable to storm surge and high tides.
Hancock County has recorded 89 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $1.1M 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
394
Hancock County
Avg. Premium
$1,042/yr
Hancock County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Hancock 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 LowEst. annual loss: $6.2M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $2.0M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $5.9M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Hancock County
Hancock County has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Hancock County, including Southwest Harbor.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Hancock County
Properties in Hancock County have filed 89 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.1M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $12K.
Highest-Claim Years
2024
33 claims - $866K
1978
6 claims - $44K
1990
5 claims - $40K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Hancock County
An estimated 2% of households in Hancock County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Penetration Rate
2%
Claims Ratio
1 in 4
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$12,180
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Hancock County
Hancock County has 2 properties with multiple flood losses, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties.
Multiple Loss
2
Severe Rep. Loss
0
Mitigated
0
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: HANCOCK County
NOAA has recorded 29 flood events in HANCOCK County since 1996, causing $2.8M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Southwest Harbor
Southwest Harbor is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Southwest Harbor are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $6.2M. Properties in Southwest Harbor's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in Southwest Harbor are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. 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.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Southwest Harbor address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Southwest Harbor
Southwest Harbor 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 9
SFHA Premium Discount
5% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Southwest Harbor's Class 9 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 5% 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.
Southwest Harbor, ME Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Southwest Harbor, ME?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Southwest Harbor are Zone AE, Zone VE, 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 Southwest Harbor?
If your Southwest Harbor 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 Southwest Harbor?
Enter your Southwest Harbor 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 Southwest Harbor offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Southwest Harbor participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 9 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 5% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Southwest Harbor experienced major flooding events?
Hancock County, where Southwest Harbor is located, has been part of 6 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 Southwest Harbor?
Hancock County has recorded 89 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.1M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2024, with 33 claims and $866K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Southwest Harbor.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Southwest Harbor?
Hancock County currently has 394 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,042. The most policies are in Zone X (256 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Southwest Harbor properties have flooded repeatedly?
Hancock County has 2 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 0 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 Southwest Harbor 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 Southwest Harbor?
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 Southwest Harbor's Zone AE and Zone VE 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.
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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.