Lightning Risk in Maryland
All Maryland counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index lightning score
Lightning risk — electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties — is rated for 24 of 24 Maryland counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Prince George's County carries the state's highest lightning score at 98.8, with $4M in expected annual lightning losses.
7 Maryland counties are rated High or Very High for lightning, and expected annual losses from lightning total roughly $22M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Lightning
| # | County | Lightning Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prince George's County | Very High | 39.86 / yr | $4M | |
| 2 | Baltimore County | Very High | 38.07 / yr | $3M | |
| 3 | Anne Arundel County | High | 39.89 / yr | $3M | |
| 4 | Baltimore City | High | 38.66 / yr | $1M | |
| 5 | Montgomery County | High | 39.20 / yr | $2M | |
| 6 | Howard County | High | 38.41 / yr | $1M | |
| 7 | Frederick County | High | 37.30 / yr | $1M | |
| 8 | Harford County | Medium | 36.29 / yr | $1M | |
| 9 | Carroll County | Medium | 36.98 / yr | $1M | |
| 10 | Charles County | Medium | 39.65 / yr | $924K | |
| 11 | Washington County | Medium | 37.48 / yr | $491K | |
| 12 | Wicomico County | Medium | 35.21 / yr | $556K | |
| 13 | Kent County | Medium | 35.89 / yr | $399K | |
| 14 | Talbot County | Medium | 36.53 / yr | $381K | |
| 15 | Cecil County | Medium | 35.31 / yr | $396K | |
| 16 | Calvert County | Medium | 38.60 / yr | $559K | |
| 17 | St. Mary's County | Low | 38.47 / yr | $490K | |
| 18 | Allegany County | Low | 37.99 / yr | $196K | |
| 19 | Caroline County | Low | 35.37 / yr | $160K | |
| 20 | Garrett County | Low | 40.58 / yr | $147K | |
| 21 | Worcester County | Low | 32.95 / yr | $148K | |
| 22 | Queen Anne's County | Low | 35.99 / yr | $177K | |
| 23 | Dorchester County | Low | 36.78 / yr | $126K | |
| 24 | Somerset County | Very Low | 35.88 / yr | $63K |
24 Maryland counties with measurable lightning risk. See the national lightning ranking or all Maryland counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Maryland county has the highest lightning risk?
Prince George's County has the highest FEMA lightning risk score in Maryland at 98.8 (Very High), with $4M in expected annual losses and about 39.86 events per year.
How many Maryland counties face significant lightning risk?
24 Maryland counties record measurable lightning risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 7 of them are rated High or Very High.