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

Wicomico County Disaster Risk

Wicomico County, Maryland

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

61th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

of 24 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

58th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wicomico County, Maryland

Wicomico's risk slightly exceeds state average

Wicomico County's composite risk score of 60.78 sits just above Maryland's state average of 60.22, placing it in the 'relatively low' risk category. The county's risk is concentrated in specific water and wildfire hazards rather than distributed across multiple threats.

Mid-range risk in Maryland's coastal region

Wicomico County ranks just above the state average with a composite risk score of 60.78, positioning it as a moderate-risk county. Its risk profile is shaped primarily by hurricane exposure and wildfire vulnerability rather than seismic or extreme flood threats.

Comparable to Somerset and Worcester, safer than others

Wicomico County (60.78) closely mirrors Somerset County (59.57) and Worcester County (68.19) in overall risk, while exceeding the much safer profiles of Talbot (42.37) and St. Mary's (42.56). Its Eastern Shore location creates hazard patterns similar to neighboring Somerset.

Hurricanes and wildfires are your primary threats

Hurricane risk dominates Wicomico County at 91.57, while wildfire risk reaches 80.85—both substantial threats that account for most of your above-average exposure. These two hazards vastly outweigh tornado or earthquake risks, reflecting your coastal geography and vegetation patterns.

Hurricane and wildfire insurance coverage essential

Wicomico County's extreme hurricane risk (91.57) and elevated wildfire risk (80.85) make comprehensive wind coverage and wildfire mitigation essential protections. Verify your homeowners insurance includes storm damage coverage and consider flood insurance given your coastal proximity—these directly address your county's primary hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wicomico County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    92th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    60th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wicomico County

Risk Verdict

Wicomico County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Wicomico County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Wicomico County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (60th percentile), flood (58th percentile), tornado (34th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Wicomico County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 92th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 81th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Wicomico County independent of hurricane season. Wicomico County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

At just 0.6 composite points from the Maryland average, Wicomico County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Wicomico 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 Wicomico County, MD?
Wicomico County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 61th 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 Wicomico County?
Wicomico County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (92th percentile), wildfire (81th percentile), earthquake (60th percentile), flooding (58th percentile), tornado (34th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 92th 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 Wicomico County risk compare to the Maryland average?
Wicomico County's composite risk percentile is 61th, compared to the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wicomico County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Maryland.
Is Wicomico County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Wicomico County's hurricane risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wicomico County is at the 58th 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 Wicomico County higher risk than average?
Wicomico County's composite risk score of 61th percentile is above the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (92th percentile), along with wildfire and earthquake and flooding 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

Somerset County

Maryland

-1.2

Relatively Low

60th percentile

Carroll County

Maryland

-1.3

Relatively Low

60th percentile

Cecil County

Maryland

-2.2

Relatively Low

59th percentile

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.

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