Drought Risk in Maryland
All Maryland counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index drought score
Drought risk — extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture — is rated for 23 of 24 Maryland counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Kent County carries the state's highest drought score at 93.0, with $2M in expected annual drought losses.
4 Maryland counties are rated High or Very High for drought, and expected annual losses from drought total roughly $25M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Drought
| # | County | Drought Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kent County | High | 6.23 / yr | $2M | |
| 2 | Cecil County | High | 7.09 / yr | $2M | |
| 3 | Caroline County | High | 4.19 / yr | $2M | |
| 4 | Queen Anne's County | High | 5.29 / yr | $2M | |
| 5 | Washington County | Medium | 3.21 / yr | $1M | |
| 6 | Talbot County | Medium | 3.78 / yr | $1M | |
| 7 | Prince George's County | Medium | 3.50 / yr | $1M | |
| 8 | Baltimore County | Medium | 5.96 / yr | $1M | |
| 9 | Montgomery County | Medium | 4.04 / yr | $1M | |
| 10 | Dorchester County | Medium | 3.42 / yr | $887K | |
| 11 | Wicomico County | Medium | 4.08 / yr | $793K | |
| 12 | Howard County | Medium | 5.33 / yr | $1M | |
| 13 | Carroll County | Medium | 5.57 / yr | $1M | |
| 14 | Anne Arundel County | Medium | 4.47 / yr | $1M | |
| 15 | Harford County | Medium | 6.50 / yr | $994K | |
| 16 | Charles County | Medium | 2.89 / yr | $965K | |
| 17 | St. Mary's County | Medium | 3.60 / yr | $1M | |
| 18 | Frederick County | Medium | 3.97 / yr | $898K | |
| 19 | Calvert County | Medium | 3.55 / yr | $725K | |
| 20 | Somerset County | Medium | 4.46 / yr | $337K | |
| 21 | Worcester County | Medium | 2.83 / yr | $379K | |
| 22 | Garrett County | Low | 3.53 / yr | $212K | |
| 23 | Allegany County | Low | 2.33 / yr | $86K |
23 Maryland counties with measurable drought risk. See the national drought ranking or all Maryland counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Maryland county has the highest drought risk?
Kent County has the highest FEMA drought risk score in Maryland at 93.0 (High), with $2M in expected annual losses and about 6.23 events per year.
How many Maryland counties face significant drought risk?
23 Maryland counties record measurable drought risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 4 of them are rated High or Very High.