Baltimore city Disaster Risk
Baltimore city, Maryland
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively High
National Percentile
95th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#1
of 24 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
94th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Baltimore city, Maryland
Baltimore City faces the highest national disaster risk
Baltimore City's composite risk score of 95.01 ranks it in the "Relatively High" category—among the most hazard-exposed urban areas in the United States. Every major natural disaster type poses significant danger to the city's 620,000 residents.
Maryland's riskiest jurisdiction
Baltimore City's 95.01 score is the highest in Maryland, far exceeding the state average of 60.22 and surpassing even Baltimore County. The dense urban core, waterfront location, and aging infrastructure converge to create exceptional vulnerability to multiple hazard types.
City risk far exceeds surrounding areas
Baltimore City (95.01) faces dramatically higher exposure than Anne Arundel (81.87) and Baltimore County (93.99), with only Baltimore County approaching its risk level. The city's compact footprint and built environment amplify hazard impacts compared to more distributed suburban and rural neighbors.
Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes are critical
Baltimore City residents face exceptional tornado risk (95.42), flood danger (94.27), and earthquake exposure (93.00)—the three highest hazard scores in Maryland. Hurricane risk (92.32) rounds out an extraordinarily broad spectrum of natural disaster threats.
Comprehensive insurance is non-negotiable
Baltimore homeowners must secure flood insurance, earthquake coverage, and windstorm protection—none of which is typically included in standard policies. An annual insurance review with a qualified agent is essential to ensure coverage keeps pace with property values and new hazard science.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Baltimore city
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Baltimore city
Risk Verdict
FEMA's National Risk Index places Baltimore city at the 95th percentile nationally — in the high-risk bracket for U.S. counties. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Baltimore city's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (93th percentile), hurricane (92th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 95th percentile nationally, Baltimore city sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Baltimore city's secondary flood risk at the 94th percentile nationally often co-occurs with tornado-producing weather systems, reinforcing the value of comprehensive severe-weather monitoring. For Baltimore city households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Baltimore city is 34.8 composite risk points above the Maryland average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Baltimore city's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Baltimore city, MD?
What types of natural hazards affect Baltimore city?
How does Baltimore city risk compare to the Maryland average?
Is Baltimore city at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Baltimore city higher risk than average?
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.