Dorchester County, Maryland Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MD
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 54th
Dorchester County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.8, 54th national percentile), driven primarily by coastal flood and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Dorchester County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 53.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 54th 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.
Risk here concentrates in coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 3.65 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.16 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $517K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dorchester County has a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Dorchester County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 7 for hurricane events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 24 Maryland counties, Dorchester County ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Coastal Flood | High | 3.65 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.16 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $517K |
| Drought | Medium | 3.42 / yr | $887K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.16 / yr | $587K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $289K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.41 / yr | $62K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.95 / yr | $48K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $687K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.37 / yr | $409K |
| Lightning | Low | 36.78 / yr | $126K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.47 / yr | $477K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $28 |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.63 / yr | $22K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Dorchester County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Snowstorm (5), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| May 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| July 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dorchester County?
Dorchester County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 54th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dorchester County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Coastal Flood (High, $6M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $517K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dorchester County compare to other Maryland counties?
Dorchester County ranks #16 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dorchester County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Dorchester County since 1972, most often 7 for hurricane events and 5 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. Dorchester County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.