Hancock County, Maine Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ME
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Hancock County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.0, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hancock County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 55.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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.
Risk here concentrates in winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $838K in expected annual loss and about 20.74 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.08 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.10 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 55K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hancock County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Hancock County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 8 for severe storm events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (severe storm), declared in March 2024.
Among 16 Maine counties, Hancock County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 20.74 / yr | $838K |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.08 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | Medium | 13.10 / yr | $847K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 10.56 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.67 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.54 / yr | $5K |
| Drought | Low | 3.70 / yr | $261K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $728 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $321K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.00 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $87K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.67 / yr | $199K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $169K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.77 / yr | $26K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Hancock County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in March 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Snowstorm (5), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm 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 |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| April 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding |
| April 2007 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hancock County?
Hancock County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hancock County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $838K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hancock County compare to other Maine counties?
Hancock County ranks #9 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hancock County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Hancock County since 1972, most often 8 for severe storm events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in March 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. Hancock County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.