Cecil County
Maryland — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Cecil County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.6, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 7.09 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 10.74 / yr | $375K |
| Strong Wind | High | 7.32 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.51 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $953K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.19 / yr | $209K |
| Lightning | Medium | 35.31 / yr | $396K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.50 / yr | $11M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $3K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.66 / yr | $391K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.84 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $150K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| 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 Cecil County?
Cecil County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cecil County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $375K EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cecil County compare to other Maryland counties?
Cecil County ranks #14 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. Cecil County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.