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

Cecil County Disaster Risk

Cecil County, Maryland

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

59th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 24 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

61th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cecil County, Maryland

Cecil County faces near-average national disaster risk

Cecil County's composite risk score of 58.56 earns a "Relatively Low" rating, sitting just below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's northeast location on the Maryland-Pennsylvania border provides moderate insulation from coastal concentration effects.

Cecil ranks in Maryland's safer half

Cecil County's 58.56 score sits just below Maryland's state average of 60.22, placing it in the lower-risk half of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions. The county substantially outperforms Baltimore City (95.01), Baltimore County (93.99), and Anne Arundel (81.87).

Cecil competes with other northern counties

Cecil County (58.56) faces nearly identical risk to Allegany (58.52) and Carroll (59.51), forming a stable band of similar hazard exposure across northern Maryland. All three northern counties remain substantially safer than their Baltimore and Chesapeake Bay counterparts.

Earthquakes and hurricanes pose main threats

Cecil County residents contend with earthquake exposure (70.71) and hurricane danger (78.31), reflecting the county's Piedmont geology and Atlantic coastal proximity. Tornado risk (48.60) and flood hazard (60.75) remain moderate, while wildfire danger is minimal (25.29).

Earthquake and wind coverage rounds out basics

Cecil County homeowners should maintain standard coverage and add earthquake protection, which remains optional but prudent given regional seismic activity. Flood insurance is appropriate for properties in mapped flood zones or near water features, particularly along the Susquehanna River.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cecil County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    61th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Cecil County

Risk Verdict

At the 59th percentile nationally, Cecil County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Cecil County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Cecil County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (61th percentile), tornado (49th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Cecil County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 78th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 71th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Cecil County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Cecil County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

At 1.7 points from the Maryland county mean, Cecil 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 Cecil 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 Cecil County, MD?
Cecil County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 59th 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 Cecil County?
Cecil County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (78th percentile), earthquake (71th percentile), flooding (61th percentile), tornado (49th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 78th 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 Cecil County risk compare to the Maryland average?
Cecil County's composite risk percentile is 59th, compared to the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cecil County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Maryland.
Is Cecil County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Cecil County's hurricane risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Cecil County is at the 61th 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.
Is Cecil County a safe place to live?
Cecil County's composite risk score of 59th percentile is below the Maryland state average of 60th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 78th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Allegany County

Maryland

-0.0

Relatively Low

59th percentile

Carroll County

Maryland

+1.0

Relatively Low

60th percentile

Somerset County

Maryland

+1.0

Relatively Low

60th 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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