Kent County
Maryland — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Kent County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.5, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 6.23 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 35.89 / yr | $399K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.70 / yr | $474K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.47 / yr | $414K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $286K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.47 / yr | $53K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 7.14 / yr | $395K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.77 / yr | $36K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.78 / yr | $89K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $278K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $298K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $131 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $2M |
| 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 Kent County?
Kent County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kent County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $399K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kent County compare to other Maryland counties?
Kent County ranks #23 of 24 Maryland counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Kent County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.