Baltimore City
Maryland — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 95th
Baltimore City faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 95.0, 95th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $136M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | High | 6.80 / yr | $38M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 10.83 / yr | $944K |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.50 / yr | $12M |
| Strong Wind | High | 8.13 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 0.07 / yr | $10M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.89 / yr | $52M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $7M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $10M |
| Lightning | High | 38.66 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.60 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.95 / yr | $248K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.69 / yr | $559K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $371 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 6.12 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Baltimore City?
Baltimore City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 95.0 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 95th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Baltimore City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (High, $38M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $944K EAL), Cold Wave (High, $12M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Baltimore City compare to other Maryland counties?
Baltimore City ranks #1 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
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. Baltimore City's $136M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.