Baltimore, MD
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Baltimore is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Baltimore, MD. The county's highest-rated hazards are heat wave, winter weather, and cold wave.
Storm events near Baltimore
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Baltimore's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Baltimore itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Baltimore's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Baltimore along with the rest of the county, not a Baltimore-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 24 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 94.3 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 64 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 93 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 99.4 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 95.4 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 88.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 92.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 76.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 35.6 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 92.1 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 96.2 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 97.8 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Baltimore risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
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Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Baltimore, MD at risk of?
Baltimore is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Baltimore, where Baltimore is located, are heat wave, winter weather, and cold wave.
What is Baltimore's biggest natural hazard risk?
Heat Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Baltimore, where Baltimore is located, scoring 99.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Baltimore a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Baltimore carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Baltimore.
Has Baltimore had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 26 tornado, 104 hail, 578 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Baltimore since 2016.