Baltimore County, Maryland Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MD
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
Baltimore County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.0, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $157M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Baltimore County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 94.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 94th 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 Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 12.50 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at High risk — $43M in expected annual loss and about 5.39 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 38.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $157M in expected annual loss for a population of 854K.
Beyond physical exposure, Baltimore County has a 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: Baltimore County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 6 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, Baltimore County ranks #2 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 12.50 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | High | 5.39 / yr | $43M |
| Lightning | Very High | 38.07 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 7.99 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 5.64 / yr | $67M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $14M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.57 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.49 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 5.96 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.39 / yr | $9K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.69 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.03 / yr | $223K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Baltimore County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (6), Hurricane (6), Flood (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2018 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| March 2016 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Snowstorm |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2011 | Flood | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Baltimore County?
Baltimore County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Baltimore County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $3M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $43M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Baltimore County compare to other Maryland counties?
Baltimore County ranks #2 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Baltimore County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Baltimore County since 1971, most often 6 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. Baltimore County's $157M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.