Somerset County, Maine Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ME
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Somerset County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 67.9, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Somerset County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 67.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 68th 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 Somerset County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $648K in expected annual loss and about 25.38 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 7.08 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $936K in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $26M in expected annual loss for a population of 50K.
Beyond physical exposure, Somerset County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Somerset County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 11 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm and Flooding (severe storm), declared in January 2024.
Among 16 Maine counties, Somerset County ranks #6 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 25.38 / yr | $648K |
| Cold Wave | High | 7.08 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.27 / yr | $936K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.08 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | High | 17.84 / yr | $952K |
| Drought | Medium | 3.28 / yr | $850K |
| Landslide | Low | 2.14 / yr | $10K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.14 / yr | $9M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $431K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.46 / yr | $498K |
| Hail | Low | 0.40 / yr | $143K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $66K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $163K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Somerset County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storm and Flooding in January 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (7), Snowstorm (6).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Lee |
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| March 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| July 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| May 2008 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Somerset County?
Somerset County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 67.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Somerset County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $648K EAL), Cold Wave (High, $8M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $936K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Somerset County compare to other Maine counties?
Somerset County ranks #6 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Somerset County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Somerset County since 1970, most often 11 for severe storm events and 7 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. Somerset County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.