Wicomico County
Maryland — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Wicomico County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.8, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.22 / yr | $11M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $482K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 5.95 / yr | $217K |
| Drought | Medium | 4.08 / yr | $793K |
| Lightning | Medium | 35.21 / yr | $556K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.16 / yr | $747K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $154K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $510K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $2M |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.65 / yr | $432K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.71 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.63 / yr | $398K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $701K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $194 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.82 / yr | $96K |
| 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 Wicomico County?
Wicomico County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wicomico County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $11M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $482K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $217K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wicomico County compare to other Maryland counties?
Wicomico County ranks #11 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. Wicomico County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.