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Natural hazard risk in Harford County, Maryland

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Low (score 72.4 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$51.4 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1971
18[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$4.0 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
26[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) gives Harford County an overall Risk Index rating of Relatively Low compared with other US counties[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores within the county are winter weather, heat wave and hurricane[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards at $51.4 million a year, with a rating of Relatively Low[1]. This is FEMA's estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid[7]. By FEMA's Expected Annual Loss values, the largest are inland flooding ($29.9 million a year), heat wave ($5.4 million a year) and hurricane ($3.9 million a year)[8]. FEMA rates social vulnerability Very Low[9]. FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause[9]. FEMA rates community resilience Very High, which it describes as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[10]. The index is not meant to predict next year's damage[7].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
Winter WeatherRelatively High$976,000[11]
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$5.4 million[12]
HurricaneRelatively Moderate$3.9 million[13]
LightningRelatively Moderate$1.2 million[14]
Inland FloodingRelatively Moderate$29.9 million[15]
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$2.0 million[16]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$2.0 million[17]
DroughtRelatively Moderate$994,000[18]
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$3.5 million[19]
Ice StormRelatively Low$180,000[20]
LandslideVery Low$2,181[21]
Coastal FloodingRelatively Low$109,000[22]
TornadoRelatively Low$1.2 million[23]
WildfireVery Low$12,000[24]
HailVery Low$54,000[25]
AvalancheVery Low$3[26]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: volcanic activity[27].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityVery Low10.6[9]
Community resilienceVery High91.6[10]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Moderate and coastal flooding risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[15][22]. OpenFEMA lists 534 residential flood insurance contracts in force in the county as of 2026-08-03[28]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 45.7% of homes are insured[28]. OpenFEMA records 353 NFIP claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $4.0 million in total[3]. To learn the flood zone of an address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[29].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[15] Relatively Moderate, $29.9 million expected loss a year
Coastal Flooding, FEMA risk rating[22] Relatively Low, $109,000 expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[28] 534 of 92,510 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[28] 584, of which 267 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 353 filed, $4.0 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[29]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 18 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Harford County since 1971[2]. By incident type, these are hurricane 7, snowstorm 6, flood 3, severe storm 1 and winter storm 1[2]. The most recent one listed was a severe winter storm declared 2026-01-24[30]. NOAA's tornado database records 26 tornadoes that touched the county from 1950 to 2024, and none were rated F3/EF3 or stronger[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Harford County, since 1971
Incident type Declarations
Hurricane[2] 7
Snowstorm[2] 6
Flood[2] 3
Severe Storm[2] 1
Winter Storm[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
EM-3634-MD[30] Severe Winter Storm 2026-01-24
DR-4261-MD[30] Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm 2016-03-04
DR-4091-MD[30] Hurricane Sandy 2012-11-20
EM-3349-MD[30] Hurricane Sandy 2012-10-28
DR-4038-MD[30] Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee 2011-10-05

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Extreme heat

Before

  • Learn the signs of heat illness and how to respond.
  • Do not rely on a fan as your main way to stay cool. Fans do not lower body temperature.
  • Find cool public places, such as libraries or malls, or ask your local health department.
  • Keep heat out with window shades, weather stripping and insulation.
  • If you cannot afford cooling costs, contact LIHEAP for help.

During

  • Never leave a person or an animal in a parked car in warm weather.
  • If your home has no air conditioning, go to a cooling center.
  • Wear light, loose clothing, drink plenty of fluids and avoid hard outdoor work in the middle of the day.

Source: Ready.gov, extreme heat

Hurricanes

Before

  • Know your hurricane risk, including rain, wind and tornadoes far inland from landfall.
  • Learn your evacuation zone and routes, and practice them with your household and pets.
  • Keep insurance policies and ID current, with password-protected digital copies.
  • Clear drains and gutters, bring in outdoor furniture and consider hurricane shutters.
  • Keep your phone charged, buy backup chargers and gather supplies, including medication and pet supplies.

During

  • If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and officials order an evacuation, leave right away.
  • For high winds, take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room.
  • If you are trapped by flooding, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, hurricanes

Questions people ask

Is Harford County at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Moderate and coastal flooding risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[15][22]. For a specific address, check FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[29].
Is Harford County at risk of tornadoes?
FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[23]. NOAA's tornado database records 26 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4].
Is Harford County at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[17].
Is Harford County at risk of hurricanes?
FEMA rates hurricane risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[13]. OpenFEMA lists 7 hurricane declarations that include the county since 1971[2].
How many disasters have been declared in Harford County?
OpenFEMA lists 18 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include the county since 1971[2].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Harford County is $51.4 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 84.1). Of this, buildings account for $34.1 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $15.9... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 18 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Harford County since 1971 (12 major disaster, 6 emergency or fire management). By incident type: hurricane 7, snowstorm 6, flood 3, severe storm 1, winter storm 1. Biological (such as COVID-19) and other... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 353 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Harford County, 216 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $4.0 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid).... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 26 recorded tornadoes touched Harford County. The strongest were rated F2 (most recent of them on 2004-09-18). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2023-04-22. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Harford County is Relatively Low, with a Risk Index score of 72.4 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Harford County are winter weather (94.0, Relatively High), heat wave (90.9, Relatively Moderate), hurricane (81.6, Relatively Moderate). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  8. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Harford County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($29.9 million a year), heat wave ($5.4 million a year), hurricane ($3.9 million a year), out of $51.4 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Harford County is Very Low (score 10.6). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Harford County is Very High (score 91.6). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 94.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $976,000 a year (rating Very High). Annualized frequency 12.73 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 90.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $5.4 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 5.04 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 81.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.9 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.08 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172... FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 80.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.2 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 36.29 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 78.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $29.9 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 2.89 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of... FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 77.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.0 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 7.45 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 76.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.0 million a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0014 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 72.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $994,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 6.5 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 69.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.5 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 1.6 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 55.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $180,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 1.15 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Harford County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 49.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2,181 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), coastal flooding in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 47.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $109,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 3.7049 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Harford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 35.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.2 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.35 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Harford County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 18.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $12,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Harford County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 10.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $54,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 3.01 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  26. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), avalanche in Harford County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 4.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.01 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 28 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  27. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Harford County: volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically possible there. FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  28. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 534 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Harford County, out of 92,510 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.6%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 584 residential structures and 267 contracts, a rate... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  29. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  30. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.