Heat Wave Risk in Maryland
All Maryland counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index heat wave score
Heat Wave risk — prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure — is rated for 24 of 24 Maryland counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Baltimore City carries the state's highest heat wave score at 99.4, with $38M in expected annual heat wave losses.
4 Maryland counties are rated High or Very High for heat wave, and expected annual losses from heat wave total roughly $140M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Heat Wave
| # | County | Heat Wave Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore City | High | 6.80 / yr | $38M | |
| 2 | Baltimore County | High | 5.39 / yr | $43M | |
| 3 | Prince George's County | High | 6.05 / yr | $12M | |
| 4 | Montgomery County | High | 5.26 / yr | $11M | |
| 5 | Anne Arundel County | Medium | 6.29 / yr | $7M | |
| 6 | Harford County | Medium | 5.04 / yr | $5M | |
| 7 | Howard County | Medium | 5.32 / yr | $5M | |
| 8 | Frederick County | Medium | 4.21 / yr | $3M | |
| 9 | Talbot County | Medium | 5.58 / yr | $2M | |
| 10 | Washington County | Medium | 3.47 / yr | $1M | |
| 11 | Charles County | Medium | 6.21 / yr | $2M | |
| 12 | Cecil County | Low | 5.51 / yr | $2M | |
| 13 | Carroll County | Low | 4.24 / yr | $2M | |
| 14 | Allegany County | Low | 1.51 / yr | $766K | |
| 15 | Calvert County | Low | 6.37 / yr | $1M | |
| 16 | St. Mary's County | Low | 6.26 / yr | $1M | |
| 17 | Wicomico County | Low | 4.16 / yr | $747K | |
| 18 | Dorchester County | Low | 4.16 / yr | $587K | |
| 19 | Queen Anne's County | Low | 5.58 / yr | $602K | |
| 20 | Caroline County | Low | 5.58 / yr | $459K | |
| 21 | Worcester County | Low | 4.17 / yr | $470K | |
| 22 | Kent County | Low | 5.47 / yr | $414K | |
| 23 | Somerset County | Very Low | 3.96 / yr | $165K | |
| 24 | Garrett County | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $4K |
24 Maryland counties with measurable heat wave risk. See the national heat wave ranking or all Maryland counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Maryland county has the highest heat wave risk?
Baltimore City has the highest FEMA heat wave risk score in Maryland at 99.4 (High), with $38M in expected annual losses and about 6.80 events per year.
How many Maryland counties face significant heat wave risk?
24 Maryland counties record measurable heat wave risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 4 of them are rated High or Very High.