Allegany County Disaster Risk
Allegany County, Maryland
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
59th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#15
of 24 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
74th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 68% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Allegany County, Maryland
Allegany's risk sits below the national average
With a composite risk score of 58.52, Allegany County ranks in the "Relatively Low" category, performing better than the national average for natural disaster exposure. This score reflects moderate vulnerability across multiple hazard types, with no single threat dominating the county's risk profile.
A safer choice within Maryland
Allegany County's score of 58.52 falls just below Maryland's state average of 60.22, placing it in the lower half of the state's 24 jurisdictions for overall risk. The county benefits from a more balanced hazard distribution compared to coastal neighbors.
Allegany outpaces western county peers
Compared to nearby Carroll County (59.51) and Cecil County (58.56), Allegany ranks similarly, but all three western counties remain safer than Baltimore City (95.01) and Baltimore County (93.99). Allegany's northwestern location shields it from the elevated hurricane and tornado risks facing the state's urban and coastal zones.
Hurricane and flood concerns top Allegany's list
Allegany's highest risk scores come from hurricane exposure (67.67) and flooding (73.63), both elevated relative to the county's overall low rating. Tornado risk (35.75) and earthquake hazard (52.86) pose secondary concerns, while wildfire danger remains minimal at 20.96.
Prepare for water and wind damage
Residents should prioritize flood and wind insurance, especially those in flood-prone areas along streams and rivers. Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood damage, so a separate policy from the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers is essential for peace of mind.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Allegany County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Allegany County
Risk Verdict
At the 59th percentile nationally, Allegany County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Allegany County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Allegany County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (53th percentile), tornado (36th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Allegany County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. The county's second-ranked hazard, hurricane at the 68th percentile nationally, means Allegany County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Allegany County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.
Regional Context
At 1.7 points from the Maryland county mean, Allegany County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.
Is your household prepared for Allegany County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Allegany County, MD?
What types of natural hazards affect Allegany County?
How does Allegany County risk compare to the Maryland average?
Is Allegany County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Allegany County a safe place to live?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.