Charles County
Maryland — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Charles County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.1, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and hurricane 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
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.21 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.24 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 39.65 / yr | $924K |
| Drought | Medium | 2.89 / yr | $965K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.95 / yr | $218K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $5K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.66 / yr | $274K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.68 / yr | $11M |
| Hail | Low | 3.24 / yr | $326K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.40 / yr | $82K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.45 / yr | $785K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $298K |
| 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 Charles County?
Charles County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Charles County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Charles County compare to other Maryland counties?
Charles County ranks #18 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. Charles County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.