Piscataquis County

Maine — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

52.4

National percentile: 52th

Piscataquis County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.4, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $16M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 17K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Cold Wave
High $9M/yr
Ice Storm
High $1M/yr
Winter Weather
High $369K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Cold Wave High 8.77 / yr $9M
Ice Storm High 0.13 / yr $1M
Winter Weather High 28.32 / yr $369K
Lightning High 16.87 / yr $937K
Hurricane Low 0.08 / yr $1M
Avalanche Low 0.01 / yr $7K
Landslide Low 1.84 / yr $3K
Drought Low 4.54 / yr $78K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $153K
Riverine Flood Low 2.21 / yr $4M
Hail Very Low 0.34 / yr $37K
Strong Wind Very Low 0.72 / yr $81K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.33 / yr $16K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $3K
Tornado Very Low 0.14 / yr $51K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
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 Piscataquis County?

Piscataquis County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Piscataquis County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $9M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $369K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Piscataquis County compare to other Maine counties?

Piscataquis County ranks #10 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Piscataquis County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.