Somerset County
Maryland — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Somerset County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.6, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by coastal flood and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Coastal Flood | High | 3.67 / yr | $7M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.22 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $602K |
| Drought | Medium | 4.46 / yr | $337K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $867K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.34 / yr | $58K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.18 / yr | $35K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $111K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.96 / yr | $165K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.50 / yr | $289K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.95 / yr | $67K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 35.88 / yr | $63K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $145K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $7 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Somerset County?
Somerset County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Somerset County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Coastal Flood (High, $7M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $5M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $602K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Somerset County compare to other Maryland counties?
Somerset County ranks #12 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Somerset County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.