Knox County Disaster Risk
Knox County, Maine
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
29th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#15
of 16 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
69th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 13% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Knox County, Maine
Knox County is Maine's safest
Knox County's composite risk score of 28.59 ranks among the lowest in the nation, reflecting minimal exposure to tornado, earthquake, and wildfire threats. Despite coastal location, the county's hurricane risk (82.90) is offset by exceptional performance on other hazard types.
Very low risk statewide
At 28.59, Knox ranks as Maine's second-safest county after Lincoln (31.81), nearly 50% below the state average of 56.75. This exceptional safety profile makes Knox one of New England's lowest-risk counties overall.
Safest county on the coast
Knox's 28.59 score is dramatically lower than coastal peers like Cumberland (77.00) and Hancock (55.03), making it a coastal safety anomaly. The county's island and peninsular geography creates unique protection against many hazard types.
Hurricane is the only significant threat
Hurricane risk (82.90) stands as Knox's sole major concern, while flood (69.20), earthquake (45.93), tornado (12.82), and wildfire (16.79) all score well below state averages. This unusual profile—high hurricane, low everything else—defines Knox's risk landscape.
Windstorm coverage is your main focus
Knox's 82.90 hurricane risk demands solid windstorm and hurricane coverage in your homeowners policy. You can confidently minimize or skip earthquake, wildfire, and tornado riders—your county's exceptional safety on these hazards means those premiums are unnecessary expenses.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Knox County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Knox County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Knox County ranks at the 29th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Even at the 29th percentile, Knox County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Knox County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (46th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile), tornado (13th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 83th percentile nationally, Knox County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 69th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Knox County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Knox County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
At 28.2 points below the Maine state average, Knox County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Knox County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Knox County, ME?
What types of natural hazards affect Knox County?
How does Knox County risk compare to the Maine average?
Is Knox County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Knox 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.