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

Queen Anne's County Disaster Risk

Queen Anne's County, Maryland

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#21

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Queen Anne's County, Maryland

Queen Anne's enjoys very low disaster risk

Queen Anne's County has a composite risk score of just 35.62, placing it well below both the national average and Maryland's state average of 60.22. The county's 'very low' risk rating reflects relatively modest exposure across most major hazard categories.

Among Maryland's safest counties

Queen Anne's ranks near the bottom of Maryland's risk scale with a score of 35.62, making it one of the state's least vulnerable counties. Only a handful of Maryland counties share similarly low composite risk profiles.

Lower risk than Talbot, higher than Somerset

Queen Anne's (35.62) sits between Talbot County (42.37) and Somerset County (59.57) in the regional risk hierarchy. Its position reflects its Eastern Shore geography, which offers relative protection from some hazards while remaining exposed to hurricane-driven coastal threats.

Hurricanes are your primary exposure

Hurricane risk dominates Queen Anne's hazard profile at 78.51, significantly outpacing other threat categories like flood risk (67.20). While your overall disaster risk remains low, coastal storm surge and wind from Atlantic hurricanes warrant attention despite your generally favorable risk position.

Standard coverage plus hurricane readiness

Your county's low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance generally provides adequate protection for most hazards. However, given your hurricane exposure, ensure your policy includes wind damage coverage and consider flood insurance if your home is in a coastal zone or near water.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Queen Anne's County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    67th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    60th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Queen Anne's County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Queen Anne's County ranks at the 36th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Queen Anne's County's favorable 36th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Queen Anne's County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (60th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile), tornado (33th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 79th percentile nationally, Queen Anne's County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Flood at the 67th percentile nationally is Queen Anne's County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Queen Anne's County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 24.6 points below the Maryland state average, Queen Anne's County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Queen Anne's 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 Queen Anne's County, MD?
Queen Anne's County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Queen Anne's County?
Queen Anne's County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (79th percentile), flooding (67th percentile), wildfire (60th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile), tornado (33th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 79th 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 Queen Anne's County risk compare to the Maryland average?
Queen Anne's County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Queen Anne's County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Maryland.
Is Queen Anne's County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Queen Anne's County's hurricane risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Queen Anne's County is at the 67th 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 Queen Anne's County a safe place to live?
Queen Anne's County's composite risk score of 36th 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 79th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.