Baltimore County
Maryland — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
Baltimore County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.0, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $157M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 12.50 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | High | 5.39 / yr | $43M |
| Lightning | Very High | 38.07 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 7.99 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 5.64 / yr | $67M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $14M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.57 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.49 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 5.96 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.39 / yr | $9K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.69 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.03 / yr | $223K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8 |
| 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 Baltimore County?
Baltimore County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Baltimore County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $3M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $43M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Baltimore County compare to other Maryland counties?
Baltimore County ranks #2 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Baltimore County's $157M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.