riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Androscoggin County Disaster Risk

Androscoggin County, Maine

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

59th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

of 16 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

62th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Androscoggin County, Maine

Androscoggin's risk sits just above average

With a composite risk score of 59.06, Androscoggin County ranks slightly higher than the national average, placing it in relatively low risk territory. This score reflects a mix of moderate hazards: hurricane and earthquake risks are notably elevated, while tornado and wildfire threats remain modest.

Middle of the pack in Maine

Androscoggin's 59.06 score slightly exceeds Maine's state average of 56.75, ranking it in the middle tier among the state's 16 counties. The county faces greater hurricane exposure than many inland Maine counties, reflecting its position in southern New England's coastal storm corridor.

Risk profile matches regional patterns

Neighboring Cumberland County (77.00) carries substantially higher overall risk, while inland Franklin County (43.64) faces less exposure. Androscoggin's score of 59.06 reflects a balance between coastal hurricane vulnerability and the relative stability of its inland portions.

Hurricanes and earthquakes top the list

Hurricane risk scores 86.19 in Androscoggin—your highest threat—while earthquake risk reaches 74.90, notably above many U.S. counties. Flood risk (61.58) remains moderate but present, particularly in river valleys and lower-lying areas near the Androscoggin River.

Prepare for wind and water damage

Homeowners should prioritize hurricane and wind coverage in their insurance policies, given the 86.19 hurricane risk score. Review your flood insurance needs if you live near waterways, and ensure your policy covers earthquake damage—often a separate add-on many people overlook.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Androscoggin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    62th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Androscoggin County

Risk Verdict

Androscoggin County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 59th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Androscoggin County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Androscoggin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (62th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile), tornado (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 86th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Androscoggin County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 75th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Androscoggin County independent of hurricane season. For Androscoggin County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Androscoggin County's composite risk score is within 2.3 points of the Maine county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Androscoggin County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Androscoggin County, ME?
Androscoggin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 59th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Androscoggin County?
Androscoggin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (86th percentile), earthquake (75th percentile), flooding (62th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile), tornado (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 86th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Androscoggin County risk compare to the Maine average?
Androscoggin County's composite risk percentile is 59th, compared to the Maine state average of 57th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Androscoggin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Maine.
Is Androscoggin County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Androscoggin County's hurricane risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Androscoggin County is at the 62th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Androscoggin County higher risk than average?
Androscoggin County's composite risk score of 59th percentile is above the Maine state average of 57th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (86th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.