York County, Maine Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ME
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
York County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.5, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $56M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
York County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 81.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 81st national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 2.32 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.12 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 8.08 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $56M in expected annual loss for a population of 212K.
Beyond physical exposure, York County has a very 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: York County has received 42 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 18 for severe storm events and 6 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in May 2024.
Among 16 Maine counties, York County ranks #1 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 2.32 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $13M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 8.08 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.07 / yr | $26M |
| Lightning | Medium | 19.07 / yr | $620K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.56 / yr | $147K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.52 / yr | $5K |
| Drought | Medium | 3.87 / yr | $502K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $84K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.98 / yr | $528K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.52 / yr | $682K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.55 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.59 / yr | $137K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
York County has received 42 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Winter Storm in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (18), Snowstorm (6), Flood (6).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Lee |
| 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 |
| May 2018 | Coastal Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| March 2015 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 42 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for York County?
York County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in York County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $4M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $13M EAL), Coastal Flood (High, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does York County compare to other Maine counties?
York County ranks #1 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has York County had?
FEMA records 42 federal disaster declarations for York County since 1970, most often 18 for severe storm events and 6 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in May 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. York County's $56M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.