Garrett County, Maryland Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
Garrett County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.0, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Garrett County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 16.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $11K in expected annual loss and about 0.87 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $98K in expected annual loss and about 29.10 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $292K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Garrett County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Garrett County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 5 for hurricane events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 24 Maryland counties, Garrett County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.87 / yr | $11K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 29.10 / yr | $98K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $292K |
| Drought | Low | 3.53 / yr | $212K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $919 |
| Hail | Low | 2.12 / yr | $228K |
| Lightning | Low | 40.58 / yr | $147K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.96 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $89K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.30 / yr | $282K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.36 / yr | $386K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $246K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $15K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $4K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Garrett County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| May 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Garrett County?
Garrett County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Garrett County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $11K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $98K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $292K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Garrett County compare to other Maryland counties?
Garrett County ranks #24 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Garrett County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Garrett County since 1993, most often 5 for hurricane events and 4 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. Garrett County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.