Carroll County Disaster Risk
Carroll County, Maryland
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
60th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#13
of 24 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
67th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% 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 68% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Carroll County, Maryland
Carroll County's risk slightly exceeds national average
Carroll County's composite risk score of 59.51 earns a "Relatively Low" rating, sitting modestly above the national average but reflecting balanced hazard exposure across multiple disaster types. The county's rural northern location provides some protection from coastal and urban concentration effects.
Carroll sits near Maryland's average risk
Carroll County's 59.51 score is nearly identical to Maryland's state average of 60.22, placing it in the middle tier of the state's risk rankings. The county performs better than Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel, but exceeds Calvert and Caroline counties.
Carroll ranks with other northern counties
Carroll County (59.51) faces similar risk to nearby Allegany (58.52) and Cecil (58.56), creating a stable band of moderate hazard exposure across north-central Maryland. All three counties substantially underperform Baltimore-area jurisdictions in overall disaster risk.
Hurricanes and earthquakes lead the list
Carroll County residents face elevated hurricane risk (76.97) and notable earthquake exposure (67.62), reflecting both Atlantic seasonal threats and the region's seismic activity. Flood danger (66.73) and tornado hazard (36.35) pose secondary concerns, while wildfire risk remains low (13.99).
Standard plus coverage provides baseline protection
Carroll County homeowners should maintain comprehensive coverage and add earthquake protection, which remains optional but valuable in this region. Flood insurance is recommended for properties near creeks or in mapped flood zones, though county-wide flood risk remains moderate.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Carroll County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Carroll County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Carroll County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 60th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Carroll County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Carroll County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (67th percentile), tornado (36th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane exposure at the 77th percentile nationally makes Carroll County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Carroll County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Carroll County's earthquake exposure at the 68th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Carroll County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.
Regional Context
Carroll County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Maryland county average, with a 0.7-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Carroll County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Carroll County, MD?
What types of natural hazards affect Carroll County?
How does Carroll County risk compare to the Maryland average?
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Is Carroll 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.