Carroll County
Maryland — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Carroll County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.5, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 7.81 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | High | 13.93 / yr | $454K |
| Lightning | Medium | 36.98 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.24 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 5.57 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.71 / yr | $18M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $4K |
| Hail | Low | 3.72 / yr | $538K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.69 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.08 / yr | $52K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9 |
| Coastal Flood | 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 Carroll County?
Carroll County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.5 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 Carroll County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $454K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Carroll County compare to other Maryland counties?
Carroll County ranks #13 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. Carroll County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.