Sanford, ME

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 22,497 · Part of York County

Sanford is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for York County, ME. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, hurricane, and coastal flooding.

Storm events near Sanford

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Sanford's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Sanford itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 0 events
Hail 27 events
Inland Flooding 29 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are York County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Sanford along with the rest of the county, not a Sanford-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 56.3 Very Low
Inland Flooding 81.3 Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flooding 86.6 Relatively High
Earthquake 83.8 Relatively Low
Heat Wave 52.8 Relatively Low
Tornado 46.5 Relatively Low
Avalanche 5 Very Low
Cold Wave 47.2 Relatively Low
Drought 65.8 Relatively Moderate
Hail 28.5 Very Low
Hurricane 91.5 Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm 98.3 Very High
Landslide 66.3 Relatively Low
Lightning 70.2 Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind 50.3 Relatively Low
Tsunami Insufficient Data
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 67.5 Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full York County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

Other cities in York County:

More on York County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Sanford, ME at risk of?

Sanford is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for York County, where Sanford is located, are ice storm, hurricane, and coastal flooding.

What is Sanford's biggest natural hazard risk?

Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for York County, where Sanford is located, scoring 98.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").

Is Sanford a high-risk area for natural disasters?

Somewhat — Sanford carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for York County.

Has Sanford had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 27 hail, 29 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Sanford since 2016.