riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Frederick County Disaster Risk

Frederick County, Maryland

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

74th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 24 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

82th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Frederick County

Risk Verdict

Frederick County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 74th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Frederick County, scoring in the 82th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 79th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (75th), tornado (67th), wildfire (28th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Frederick County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as hurricane also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Frederick County is significantly riskier than the average county in Maryland. Its composite risk score is 14 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Frederick County, MD?
Frederick County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 74th 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 Frederick County?
Frederick County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (82th percentile), hurricane (79th percentile), earthquake (75th percentile), tornado (67th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 82th 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 Frederick County risk compare to the Maryland average?
Frederick County's composite risk percentile is 74th, compared to the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Frederick County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Maryland.
Is Frederick County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Frederick County's flooding risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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 Frederick County higher risk than average?
Frederick County's composite risk score of 74th percentile is above the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (82th percentile), along with hurricane and earthquake and tornado 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

Harford County

Maryland

-1.7

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Howard County

Maryland

-1.8

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Washington County

Maryland

-5.4

Relatively Low

69th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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