Prince George's County, Maryland Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MD
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Prince George's County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.2, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $122M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Prince George's County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 93.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 93rd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Prince George's County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.32 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Very High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 39.86 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 6.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $122M in expected annual loss for a population of 966K.
Beyond physical exposure, Prince George's County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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 federal record bears this out: Prince George's County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 5 for snowstorm events and 5 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 24 Maryland counties, Prince George's County ranks #3 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 9.32 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very High | 39.86 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | High | 6.05 / yr | $12M |
| Strong Wind | High | 7.24 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 0.37 / yr | $11M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 4.18 / yr | $65M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $8M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.09 / yr | $11M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.36 / yr | $59K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.30 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 3.50 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $392K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.21 / yr | $3M |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.71 / yr | $106K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Prince George's County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (5), Hurricane (5), Flood (4).
| 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 |
| October 2011 | Flood | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| May 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Prince George's County?
Prince George's County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 93th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Prince George's County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $2M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $4M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $12M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Prince George's County compare to other Maryland counties?
Prince George's County ranks #3 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Prince George's County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Prince George's County since 1971, most often 5 for snowstorm events and 5 for hurricane 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. Prince George's County's $122M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.