Allegany County, Maryland Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MD
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Allegany County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.5, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Allegany County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 58.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 59th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Allegany County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $66K in expected annual loss and about 0.90 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $803K in expected annual loss and about 3.49 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 2.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 68K.
Beyond physical exposure, Allegany County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Allegany County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for hurricane events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 24 Maryland counties, Allegany County ranks #15 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.90 / yr | $66K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.49 / yr | $803K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.00 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 19.63 / yr | $112K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.51 / yr | $766K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $359K |
| Hail | Low | 2.32 / yr | $331K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $853 |
| Lightning | Low | 37.99 / yr | $196K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $237K |
| Drought | Low | 2.33 / yr | $86K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.34 / yr | $39K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $520K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.15 / yr | $124K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Allegany County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Snowstorm (4), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2016 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| May 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Allegany County?
Allegany County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Allegany County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $66K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $803K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $11M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Allegany County compare to other Maryland counties?
Allegany County ranks #15 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Allegany County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Allegany County since 1972, most often 6 for hurricane events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Allegany County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.