Knox County, Maine Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ME
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Knox County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.6, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Knox County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 28.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 29th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 — $525K in expected annual loss and about 16.17 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.26 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $41K in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 41K.
Beyond physical exposure, Knox 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.
History supports the rating: Knox County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 12 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (severe storm), declared in March 2024.
Among 16 Maine counties, Knox County ranks #15 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 16.17 / yr | $525K |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.26 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.09 / yr | $41K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $4M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 8.38 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Low | 13.87 / yr | $287K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $279K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.50 / yr | $495K |
| Drought | Low | 2.16 / yr | $56K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $135 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.69 / yr | $466K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.67 / yr | $91K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $133K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $28K |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Knox County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in March 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (8), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Lee |
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| March 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| March 2022 | Coastal Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| March 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 31 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Knox County?
Knox County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Knox County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $525K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $41K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Knox County compare to other Maine counties?
Knox County ranks #15 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Knox County had?
FEMA records 31 federal disaster declarations for Knox County since 1970, most often 12 for severe storm events and 8 for flood 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. Knox County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.