Worcester County
Maryland — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Worcester County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.2, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and coastal flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $11M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 3.65 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 5.28 / yr | $149K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $119K |
| Drought | Medium | 2.83 / yr | $379K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.34 / yr | $112K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.17 / yr | $470K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $255K |
| Lightning | Low | 32.95 / yr | $148K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.83 / yr | $299K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $151K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $66 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $36K |
| 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 Worcester County?
Worcester County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Worcester County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $11M EAL), Coastal Flood (High, $5M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $149K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Worcester County compare to other Maryland counties?
Worcester County ranks #10 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. Worcester County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.