Hancock County Disaster Risk
Hancock County, Maine
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
55th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#9
of 16 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
77th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 51% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Hancock County, Maine
Hancock balances coastal and safety
Hancock County's composite risk score of 55.03 sits just below the national average, reflecting a balanced hazard profile. While hurricane risk (87.82) is significant due to coastal exposure, the county's strong performance on wildfire (10.85) and tornado (15.84) threats moderates overall risk.
Near-average risk for Maine
At 55.03, Hancock sits just below Maine's state average of 56.75, placing it in the lower half of state counties. The score shows Hancock's middle position between high-risk coastal areas and safer inland counties.
Safer than most coastal counties
Hancock's 55.03 score significantly outperforms adjacent Cumberland County (77.00), demonstrating lower overall coastal vulnerability. It matches more closely with Penobscot and interior regions, suggesting Hancock's exposure is less severe than counties to the south.
Hurricane and flood are primary concerns
Hurricane risk dominates at 87.82, reflecting Hancock's coastal and island geography, while flood risk reaches 77.00 in lower-lying areas. Earthquake risk (51.18) ranks notably lower than state peers, giving Hancock a relative advantage in seismic exposure.
Coastal homeowners need windstorm coverage
Your 87.82 hurricane risk score demands comprehensive wind and storm coverage—standard policies often have caps on windstorm damage. Add flood insurance, especially if you live near water, and note that Hancock's lower earthquake risk means that coverage may be optional depending on your home's construction.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Hancock County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Hancock County
Risk Verdict
Hancock County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Hancock County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Hancock County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (51th percentile), tornado (16th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane risk is Hancock County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 88th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Flood at the 77th percentile nationally is Hancock County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hancock County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.
Regional Context
At just 1.7 composite points from the Maine average, Hancock County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Hancock County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Hancock County, ME?
What types of natural hazards affect Hancock County?
How does Hancock County risk compare to the Maine average?
Is Hancock County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Hancock County a safe place to live?
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.