riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Anne Arundel County Disaster Risk

Anne Arundel County, Maryland

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

82th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#5

of 24 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

81th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Anne Arundel faces significant national risk levels

Anne Arundel County's composite risk score of 81.87 places it in the "Relatively Moderate" category, well above the national average and among the most hazard-exposed counties in the Mid-Atlantic. Nearly all major disaster types pose notable threats to the county's 600,000 residents.

Third-highest risk in Maryland

Anne Arundel's 81.87 score significantly exceeds Maryland's state average of 60.22, ranking it third-highest for overall disaster risk behind only Baltimore City and Baltimore County. The county's position at the confluence of Chesapeake Bay water routes and Atlantic weather patterns drives this elevated exposure.

Anne Arundel leads the Bay area in risk

Anne Arundel (81.87) faces substantially higher risk than Calvert County (28.91) to the south, despite similar waterfront geography. Baltimore County (93.99) and Baltimore City (95.01) present even greater hazard levels, creating a risk gradient across the Baltimore-Annapolis corridor.

Hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornados dominate

Anne Arundel residents face exceptional hurricane risk (87.19), earthquake exposure (83.21), and tornado danger (82.03)—the highest tornado score of any Maryland county. Flood risk (80.95) rounds out the county's top quartet of hazards, leaving few areas entirely safe from multiple disaster types.

Bundle comprehensive coverage for your family

Anne Arundel homeowners need flood insurance, earthquake coverage (often a separate rider), and robust windstorm protection due to hurricane exposure. Consider a personal umbrella policy to cover liability gaps, and ensure all policies are current and reflect current home values.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Anne Arundel County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    82th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Anne Arundel County

Risk Verdict

Anne Arundel County faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Anne Arundel County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (82th percentile), flood (81th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Anne Arundel County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 87th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 83th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Anne Arundel County independent of hurricane season. Anne Arundel County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

Anne Arundel County's composite risk score sits 21.6 points above the Maryland county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Anne Arundel County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Anne Arundel County, MD?
Anne Arundel County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 82th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Anne Arundel County?
Anne Arundel County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (87th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), tornado (82th percentile), flooding (81th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 87th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Anne Arundel County risk compare to the Maryland average?
Anne Arundel County's composite risk percentile is 82th, compared to the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Anne Arundel County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Maryland.
Is Anne Arundel County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Anne Arundel County's hurricane risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Anne Arundel County is at the 81th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Anne Arundel County higher risk than average?
Anne Arundel County's composite risk score of 82th percentile is above the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (87th percentile), along with earthquake and tornado and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Frederick County

Maryland

-7.7

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Harford County

Maryland

-9.4

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Howard County

Maryland

-9.4

Relatively Low

72th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.

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