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Natural hazard risk in Howard 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)
$52.0 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1971
20[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$15.8 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
19[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates the overall natural hazard risk for Howard County, Maryland, Relatively Low compared with other US counties, with a Risk Index score of 72.4 out of 100[5]. Within the county, the hazards with the highest FEMA Risk Index scores are winter weather, heat wave and strong wind[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's National Risk Index estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Howard County at $52.0 million a year, rated Relatively Low[1]. This is FEMA's estimate of average yearly economic loss, not money anyone paid, and it does not predict next year's losses[7]. Inland flooding accounts for $29.9 million a year in FEMA's estimate[8], heat wave for $4.8 million[9] and hurricane for $3.7 million[10]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability Very Low (score 10.6), which describes how susceptible social groups are to the harm hazards cause[11]. FEMA rates Community Resilience Very High (score 92.8), which describes the ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[12].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
Winter WeatherRelatively High$845,000[13]
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$4.8 million[9]
Strong WindRelatively High$3.2 million[14]
LightningRelatively High$1.5 million[15]
HurricaneRelatively Low$3.7 million[10]
Inland FloodingRelatively Moderate$29.9 million[8]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$2.2 million[16]
DroughtRelatively Moderate$1.2 million[17]
HailRelatively Low$1.0 million[18]
Ice StormRelatively Low$217,000[19]
Cold WaveRelatively Low$1.8 million[20]
LandslideVery Low$2,571[21]
TornadoRelatively Low$1.6 million[22]
Coastal FloodingVery Low$632[23]
WildfireVery Low$8,855[24]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, tsunami, volcanic activity[25].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

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

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityVery Low10.6[11]
Community resilienceVery High92.8[12]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk in Howard County Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties (score 78.1)[8]. FEMA rates coastal flooding Very Low (score 20.4)[23]. OpenFEMA data as of 2026-08-03 show 816 residential flood insurance contracts in force out of 99,025 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.8%[26]. A HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP claims for losses from 1978 to 2026 counts 422 claims, 286 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $15.8 million in total[3]. The years with the most paid claims were 2018 (99) and 2016 (63)[3].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[8] Relatively Moderate, $29.9 million expected loss a year
Coastal Flooding, FEMA risk rating[23] Very Low, $632 expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[26] 816 of 99,025 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[26] 246, of which 232 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 422 filed, $15.8 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[27]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 20 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Howard County since 1971, including 6 for flood, 5 for hurricane and 5 for snowstorm[2]. The most recent is EM-3634-MD, Severe Winter Storm, declared 2026-01-24[28]. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center tornado database records 19 tornadoes in Howard County from 1950 to 2024, and the strongest were rated F3[4]. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2024-06-05[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Howard County, since 1971
Incident type Declarations
Flood[2] 6
Hurricane[2] 5
Snowstorm[2] 5
Severe Storm[2] 3
Winter Storm[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
EM-3634-MD[28] Severe Winter Storm 2026-01-24
DR-4376-MD[28] Severe Storm And Flooding 2018-07-02
DR-4279-MD[28] Severe Storm And Flooding 2016-09-16
DR-4261-MD[28] Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm 2016-03-04
DR-4170-MD[28] Snowstorm 2014-04-10

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 Howard County, Maryland at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk in Howard County Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties, with an estimated Expected Annual Loss of $29.9 million a year[8]. OpenFEMA lists 6 flood disaster declarations that include the county since 1971[2].
How do I check if a Howard County address is in a flood zone?
Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, the official public source for flood maps, or ask the local floodplain manager[27]. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of a single address[27].
Does Howard County get tornadoes?
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center tornado database records 19 tornadoes in Howard County from 1950 to 2024, the most recent on 2024-06-05[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties (score 42.2)[22].
What is the hurricane and earthquake risk in Howard County?
FEMA rates hurricane risk in Howard County Relatively Low compared with other US counties (score 81.1)[10]. FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Low (score 77.5)[16]. OpenFEMA lists 5 hurricane disaster declarations that include the county since 1971[2].
How many federal disasters have been declared in Howard County?
OpenFEMA lists 20 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Howard County since 1971, 14 of them major disasters[2].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Howard County is $52.0 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 84.3). Of this, buildings account for $34.7 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $15.8... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 20 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Howard County since 1971 (14 major disaster, 6 emergency or fire management). By incident type: flood 6, hurricane 5, snowstorm 5, severe storm 3, 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): 422 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Howard County, 286 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $15.8 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): 19 recorded tornadoes touched Howard County. The strongest were rated F3 (most recent of them on 2001-09-24). 1 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2024-06-05. 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 Howard 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 Howard County are winter weather (92.7, Relatively High), heat wave (89.2, Relatively Moderate), strong wind (88.9, Relatively High). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published... 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. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 78.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $29.9 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 2.57 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of... FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 89.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $4.8 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 5.32 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 81.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.7 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.1 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172 years... FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Howard 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
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Howard County is Very High (score 92.8). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 92.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $845,000 a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 12.05 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 88.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.2 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 8.04 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 84.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.5 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 38.41 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 77.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.2 million a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.001 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 74.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.2 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 5.33 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22... FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 71.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.0 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 3.68 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 59.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $217,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.89 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 53.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.8 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 1.6 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Howard County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 52.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2,571 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 42.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.6 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.19 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), coastal flooding in Howard County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 20.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $632 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.012 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Howard County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 15.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $8,855 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) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Howard County: avalanche, tsunami, 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
  26. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 816 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Howard County, out of 99,025 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.8%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 246 residential structures and 232 contracts, a rate... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  27. 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
  28. 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.