Waldo County

Maine — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

40.6

National percentile: 41th

Waldo County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.6, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $13M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 40K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Winter Weather
High $896K/yr
Ice Storm
High $971K/yr
Hurricane
Medium $3M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Winter Weather High 31.87 / yr $896K
Ice Storm High 1.25 / yr $971K
Hurricane Medium 0.09 / yr $3M
Lightning Medium 15.00 / yr $468K
Cold Wave Low 3.30 / yr $2M
Landslide Very Low 0.43 / yr $3K
Coastal Flood Low 10.59 / yr $435K
Drought Low 4.16 / yr $216K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $190K
Riverine Flood Low 0.79 / yr $5M
Hail Very Low 0.72 / yr $89K
Strong Wind Low 0.69 / yr $204K
Heat Wave Very Low 1.84 / yr $65K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $7K
Tornado Very Low 0.03 / yr $160K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $20
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 Waldo County?

Waldo County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Waldo County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $896K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $971K EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Waldo County compare to other Maine counties?

Waldo County ranks #13 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Waldo County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.