Gaithersburg, MD
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Gaithersburg is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Montgomery County, MD. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, heat wave, and strong wind.
Storm events near Gaithersburg
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Gaithersburg's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Gaithersburg 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 Montgomery County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Gaithersburg along with the rest of the county, not a Gaithersburg-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 25.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 93.7 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 19.6 | Very Low |
| Earthquake | 91.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 97 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 78.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 86.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 81.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 94.5 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 91.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 70.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 75.1 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 91.6 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 96.6 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 99.2 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Montgomery County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Montgomery County:
More on Montgomery County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Gaithersburg, MD at risk of?
Gaithersburg is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Montgomery County, where Gaithersburg is located, are winter weather, heat wave, and strong wind.
What is Gaithersburg's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Montgomery County, where Gaithersburg is located, scoring 99.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Gaithersburg a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Gaithersburg carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Montgomery County.
Has Gaithersburg had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 36 tornado, 172 hail, 1089 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Gaithersburg since 2016.