Sagadahoc County, Maine Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ME
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Sagadahoc County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.3, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sagadahoc County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 23.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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.
Most of Sagadahoc County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $957K in expected annual loss and about 1.31 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $269K in expected annual loss and about 16.25 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.10 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sagadahoc 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Sagadahoc County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (severe storm), declared in March 2024.
Among 16 Maine counties, Sagadahoc County ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.31 / yr | $957K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.25 / yr | $269K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.10 / yr | $2M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 8.59 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $293K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Low | 16.84 / yr | $176K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.52 / yr | $21K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.01 / yr | $122K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.34 / yr | $177K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.51 / yr | $186K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.15 / yr | $39K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $130K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Sagadahoc County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in March 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (5), 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 |
| 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 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sagadahoc County?
Sagadahoc County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sagadahoc County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $957K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $269K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sagadahoc County compare to other Maine counties?
Sagadahoc County ranks #16 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sagadahoc County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Sagadahoc County since 1970, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 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. Sagadahoc County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.