Maryland natural disaster risk
Ratings for all 24 counties, the federal disaster record and flood insurance across the state.
Maryland has had 30 major federal disaster declarations for natural events since 1953. FEMA expects about $1.1 billion a year in losses from natural hazards across the state. Inland flooding is the costliest hazard in 18 of its 24 counties, followed by hurricane in 4. None is rated Very High overall. About 2% of homes carry federal flood insurance, and the program has paid $340 million on 20,800 claims here since 1978.
Highest overall risk
Lowest risk (50,000+ people)
Top hazards
Largest counties
Montgomery County
1,061,279 people
Inland floodingPrince George's County
965,886 people
Inland floodingBaltimore County
854,450 people
Inland floodingAnne Arundel County
587,917 people
Inland floodingBaltimore City
585,581 people
Inland floodingHoward County
332,270 people
Inland floodingFrederick County
271,433 people
Inland floodingHarford County
260,746 people
Inland floodingCarroll County
172,826 people
Inland floodingCharles County
166,485 people
Inland floodingWashington County
154,643 people
Inland floodingSt. Mary's County
113,699 people
Inland floodingAll 24 counties
| Name | People | Overall risk | Top hazard | Declarations | Homes insured |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegany County | 68,096 | Inland flooding | 15 | 0.5% | |
| Anne Arundel County | 587,917 | Inland flooding | 21 | 2.5% | |
| Baltimore City | 585,581 | Inland flooding | 20 | 0.3% | |
| Baltimore County | 854,450 | Inland flooding | 22 | 1.2% | |
| Calvert County | 92,747 | Inland flooding | 22 | 2% | |
| Caroline County | 33,293 | Hurricane | 19 | 1.1% | |
| Carroll County | 172,826 | Inland flooding | 17 | 0.3% | |
| Cecil County | 103,701 | Inland flooding | 19 | 1.4% | |
| Charles County | 166,485 | Inland flooding | 22 | 0.9% | |
| Dorchester County | 32,513 | Coastal flooding | 18 | 8.8% | |
| Frederick County | 271,433 | Inland flooding | 21 | 0.6% | |
| Garrett County | 28,794 | Inland flooding | 12 | 0.4% | |
| Harford County | 260,746 | Inland flooding | 18 | 0.6% | |
| Howard County | 332,270 | Inland flooding | 20 | 0.8% | |
| Kent County | 19,162 | Hurricane | 19 | 4.5% | |
| Montgomery County | 1,061,279 | Inland flooding | 19 | 0.8% | |
| Prince George's County | 965,886 | Inland flooding | 17 | 0.9% | |
| Queen Anne's County | 49,839 | Inland flooding | 16 | 7.9% | |
| Somerset County | 24,620 | Coastal flooding | 12 | 15.9% | |
| St. Mary's County | 113,699 | Inland flooding | 16 | 2.4% | |
| Talbot County | 37,498 | Inland flooding | 18 | 9.7% | |
| Washington County | 154,643 | Inland flooding | 15 | 0.5% | |
| Wicomico County | 103,542 | Hurricane | 12 | 1.3% | |
| Worcester County | 52,454 | Hurricane | 12 | 23.9% |
Linked names have a full page. Overall risk from the FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); declarations are federal disaster and emergency declarations for natural events since 1953 (OpenFEMA); homes insured is the share with NFIP flood policies.