St. Mary's County Disaster Risk
St. Mary's County, Maryland
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
43th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#19
of 24 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
63th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 63% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in St. Mary's County, Maryland
St. Mary's maintains very low disaster risk
St. Mary's County's composite risk score of 42.56 sits comfortably below both the national average and Maryland's state average of 60.22. The county's 'very low' risk rating reflects moderate exposure across most hazard categories with no single threat reaching extreme levels.
Among Maryland's lowest-risk counties
St. Mary's County ranks among the safest counties in Maryland with a composite risk score of 42.56, significantly outperforming the state average. Only a few Maryland counties maintain comparably low overall disaster risk profiles.
Comparable risk to Talbot, lower than Somerset
St. Mary's County (42.56) closely matches Talbot County (42.37) in overall risk exposure, while remaining substantially safer than neighboring Somerset County (59.57) and Wicomico County (60.78). The southern Maryland location provides relative protection compared to higher-risk central and northern regions.
Hurricanes pose your greatest threat
Hurricane risk dominates St. Mary's hazard profile at 85.11, substantially higher than flood risk (63.00) or any other single threat. While your overall disaster risk remains very low, Atlantic hurricane season brings meaningful coastal wind and surge exposure despite your favorable comparative position.
Basic coverage with hurricane consideration
Your county's very low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance provides solid baseline protection for most hazards. However, ensure your policy includes robust wind damage coverage for hurricane season, and add flood insurance if your home sits in a coastal area or near significant water features.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in St. Mary's County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: St. Mary's County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in St. Mary's County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 43th percentile. At the 43th percentile, St. Mary's County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is St. Mary's County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (59th percentile), earthquake (57th percentile), tornado (39th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 85th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, St. Mary's County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. St. Mary's County's flood exposure at the 63th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For St. Mary's County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.
Regional Context
St. Mary's County is 17.7 composite risk points below the Maryland state mean, meaning most other Maryland counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for St. Mary's County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is St. Mary's County a safe place to live?
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.