riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Howard County Disaster Risk

Howard County, Maryland

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

72th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

of 24 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

78th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Howard County

Risk Verdict

Howard County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 72th 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

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Howard County, scoring in the 81th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 78th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (78th), tornado (42th), wildfire (16th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Howard County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Howard County is significantly riskier than the average county in Maryland. Its composite risk score is 12.2 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 Howard County, MD?
Howard County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 72th 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 Howard County?
Howard County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (81th percentile), flooding (78th percentile), earthquake (78th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 81th 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 Howard County risk compare to the Maryland average?
Howard County's composite risk percentile is 72th, compared to the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Howard County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Maryland.
Is Howard County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Howard County's hurricane risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Howard County is at the 78th 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 Howard County higher risk than average?
Howard County's composite risk score of 72th percentile is above the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (81th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake 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

+0.0

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Frederick County

Maryland

+1.8

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Washington County

Maryland

-3.7

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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