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

Worcester County Disaster Risk

Worcester County, Maryland

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

68th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#10

of 24 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

88th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Worcester County, Maryland

Worcester County faces above-average disaster risk

Worcester County's composite risk score of 68.19 exceeds both the national average and Maryland's state average of 60.22, placing it in the 'relatively low' risk category. The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane and flood exposure reflecting its Atlantic coastal location.

Above-average risk in Maryland's east

Worcester County ranks above the state average with a composite risk score of 68.19, making it one of Maryland's moderate-risk coastal counties. Its risk profile is shaped by extreme water hazards rather than seismic or significant wind events.

Riskier than Talbot and St. Mary's, matches Washington

Worcester County (68.19) faces greater overall risk than nearby Talbot (42.37) and St. Mary's (42.56), while closely matching Washington County (68.77) and Wicomico County (60.78). Its position on Maryland's Eastern Shore creates a distinct hazard profile emphasizing water-related threats.

Hurricanes and floods dominate your exposure

Worcester County faces extreme hurricane risk at 91.99 and severe flood risk at 88.00—both well above typical levels and accounting for nearly all of your above-average composite risk. These water-related hazards vastly outweigh tornado (16.09) or earthquake threats, reflecting your coastal geography.

Flood and hurricane insurance are non-negotiable

Worcester County's extreme hurricane (91.99) and flood (88.00) risks make separate flood insurance and comprehensive wind coverage absolutely essential protections. Evaluate your home's elevation and proximity to water bodies, and prioritize investments in storm shutters, reinforced roofing, and improved drainage to reduce vulnerability.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Worcester County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    92th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    88th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    66th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Worcester County

Risk Verdict

Worcester County ranks at the 68th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Worcester County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 88th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (66th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), tornado (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Worcester County ranks at the 92th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Flood at the 88th percentile nationally is Worcester County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Worcester County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

Compared to other Maryland counties, Worcester County runs 8.0 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Worcester 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 Worcester County, MD?
Worcester County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 68th 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 Worcester County?
Worcester County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (92th percentile), flooding (88th percentile), wildfire (66th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), tornado (16th 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 Worcester County risk compare to the Maryland average?
Worcester County's composite risk percentile is 68th, compared to the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Worcester County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Maryland.
Is Worcester County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Worcester County's hurricane risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Worcester County is at the 88th 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 Worcester County higher risk than average?
Worcester County's composite risk score of 68th percentile is above the Maryland state average of 60th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (92th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire 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

Washington County

Maryland

+0.6

Relatively Low

69th percentile

Howard County

Maryland

+4.2

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Harford County

Maryland

+4.3

Relatively Low

72th 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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