Natural Disaster Risk in Knox County

Natural Hazard Profile: Knox County, Maine

Knox County is located in the United States in Maine, home to roughly 40,597 residents. The county experiences long, harsh winters and brief summers with heavy snowfall, with powerful nor'easter blizzards shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Knox County's composite natural disaster risk at 5.8 out of 10 — moderate risk. The risk of coastal inundation tops the local hazard profile, with the area exposed to storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action during major coastal storm events. Residents should also account for winter and ice storm risk in their preparedness planning.

Knox County's risk score, slightly below the 6.2/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Knox County, the highest-scoring are coastal flood, winter, and ice storm. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Knox County's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that coastal flood exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.