Queen Anne's County, Maryland Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Queen Anne's County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.6, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Queen Anne's County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 35.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 36th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.29 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.65 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 50K.
Beyond physical exposure, Queen Anne's County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Queen Anne's County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for hurricane events and 6 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 24 Maryland counties, Queen Anne's County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 5.29 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $2M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.65 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.63 / yr | $117K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $92K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.58 / yr | $602K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $387K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.59 / yr | $593K |
| Lightning | Low | 35.99 / yr | $177K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.60 / yr | $52K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.18 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $691K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.60 / yr | $133K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.79 / yr | $338K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $127 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Queen Anne's County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Snowstorm (6), 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 |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| May 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| February 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Queen Anne's County?
Queen Anne's County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Queen Anne's County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL), Coastal Flood (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Queen Anne's County compare to other Maryland counties?
Queen Anne's County ranks #21 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Queen Anne's County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Queen Anne's County since 1977, most often 7 for hurricane events and 6 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. Queen Anne's County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.