Waldo County, Maine Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ME
Very LowComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Waldo County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 40.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st 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 — $896K in expected annual loss and about 31.87 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $971K in expected annual loss and about 1.25 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 40K.
Beyond physical exposure, Waldo 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: Waldo County has received 28 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, Waldo County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Waldo County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in March 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (8), Hurricane (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| July 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Waldo County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Waldo 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. Waldo County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.