Somerset County

Maine — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

67.9

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

Expected Annual Loss $26M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 50K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Winter Weather
High $648K/yr
Cold Wave
High $8M/yr
Ice Storm
High $936K/yr

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

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.

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.