Cumberland County, Maine Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ME
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Cumberland County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 77.0, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $69M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cumberland County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 77.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Cumberland County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 26.53 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 1.84 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $16M in expected annual loss and about 0.12 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $69M in expected annual loss for a population of 303K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cumberland County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Cumberland County has received 39 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 12 for severe storm events and 8 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in May 2024.
Among 16 Maine counties, Cumberland County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 26.53 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.84 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $16M |
| Lightning | High | 18.10 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 8.19 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 1.37 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.04 / yr | $27M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.42 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.21 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.35 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 2.91 / yr | $136K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $45K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $703K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Cumberland County has received 39 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Winter Storm in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Snowstorm (8), Flood (8).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Lee |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| March 2015 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| March 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 39 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cumberland County?
Cumberland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 77.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cumberland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $6M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $16M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cumberland County compare to other Maine counties?
Cumberland County ranks #4 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cumberland County had?
FEMA records 39 federal disaster declarations for Cumberland County since 1970, most often 12 for severe storm events and 8 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in May 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Cumberland County's $69M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.