Anne Arundel County, Maryland Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MD
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Anne Arundel County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.9, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $75M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Anne Arundel County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 81.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 82nd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 9.52 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 39.89 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 6.29 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $75M in expected annual loss for a population of 588K.
Beyond physical exposure, Anne Arundel County has a very low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Anne Arundel County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 7 for snowstorm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 24 Maryland counties, Anne Arundel County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 9.52 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 39.89 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.29 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | High | 7.74 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.09 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.64 / yr | $33M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.19 / yr | $23K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.38 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 4.47 / yr | $1M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.66 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $309K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.22 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Anne Arundel County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (7), Hurricane (6), Flood (4).
| 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 |
| October 2011 | Flood | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| May 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| February 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Anne Arundel County?
Anne Arundel County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Anne Arundel County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $1M EAL), Lightning (High, $3M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Anne Arundel County compare to other Maryland counties?
Anne Arundel County ranks #5 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Anne Arundel County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Anne Arundel County since 1971, most often 7 for snowstorm events and 6 for hurricane 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. Anne Arundel County's $75M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.