riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Prince George's County Disaster Risk

Prince George's County, Maryland

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

93th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#3

of 24 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

95th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% 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 Advisory: Prince George's County

Risk Verdict

Prince George's County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 93th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Prince George's County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 95th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (93th), hurricane (92th), wildfire (42th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Prince George's County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. 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

Prince George's County is significantly riskier than the average county in Maryland. Its composite risk score is 32.9 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 Prince George's County, MD?
Prince George's County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 93th 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 Prince George's County?
Prince George's County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (95th percentile), flooding (95th percentile), earthquake (93th percentile), hurricane (92th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 95th 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 Prince George's County risk compare to the Maryland average?
Prince George's County's composite risk percentile is 93th, compared to the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Prince George's County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Maryland.
Is Prince George's County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Prince George's County's tornado risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Prince George's County is at the 95th 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 Prince George's County higher risk than average?
Prince George's County's composite risk score of 93th percentile is above the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (95th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and hurricane 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

Baltimore County

Maryland

+0.8

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Montgomery County

Maryland

-1.5

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

Baltimore city

Maryland

+1.8

Relatively High

95th 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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