Frederick, MD
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Frederick is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Frederick County, MD. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, heat wave, and lightning.
Storm events near Frederick
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Frederick's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Frederick 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 Frederick County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Frederick along with the rest of the county, not a Frederick-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 27.6 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 81.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 74.6 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 85.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 67.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | 21.5 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 32.3 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 72 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 74.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 79.3 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 53.8 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 66.8 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 82.2 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 80.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 90.6 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Frederick County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Frederick County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Frederick, MD at risk of?
Frederick is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Frederick County, where Frederick is located, are winter weather, heat wave, and lightning.
What is Frederick's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Frederick County, where Frederick is located, scoring 90.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Frederick a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Frederick carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Frederick County.
Has Frederick had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 24 tornado, 80 hail, 425 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Frederick since 2016.