Penobscot County
Maine — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Penobscot County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.0, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $41M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 25.79 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.55 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 15.72 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.07 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.96 / yr | $24M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.97 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.47 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 4.63 / yr | $304K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.90 / yr | $711K |
| Hail | Low | 0.45 / yr | $280K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $324 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 10.59 / yr | $22K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.13 / yr | $202K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $627K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Penobscot County?
Penobscot County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Penobscot County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Penobscot County compare to other Maine counties?
Penobscot County ranks #3 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Penobscot County's $41M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.