Kennebec County, Maine Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ME
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Kennebec County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.2, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kennebec County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 75.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 75th 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 Kennebec County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 20.85 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 1.27 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $37M in expected annual loss for a population of 124K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kennebec 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.
The federal record bears this out: Kennebec County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm and Flooding (severe storm), declared in January 2024.
Among 16 Maine counties, Kennebec County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 20.85 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.27 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.11 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | High | 17.05 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.64 / yr | $22M |
| Drought | Medium | 4.71 / yr | $812K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.59 / yr | $8K |
| Hail | Low | 0.96 / yr | $420K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $801K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 10.59 / yr | $319K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.95 / yr | $814K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.84 / yr | $229K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $421K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Kennebec County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storm and Flooding in January 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (6), Hurricane (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Lee |
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| April 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams |
| March 2005 | Snowstorm | Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kennebec County?
Kennebec County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kennebec County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $3M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kennebec County compare to other Maine counties?
Kennebec County ranks #5 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kennebec County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Kennebec County since 1970, most often 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm and Flooding, declared in January 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. Kennebec County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.