Laurel, MD
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Laurel 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 Prince George's County, MD. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, lightning, and heat wave.
Storm events near Laurel
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Laurel's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Laurel 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 Prince George's County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Laurel along with the rest of the county, not a Laurel-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 42.3 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 94.6 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 49.4 | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | 93.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 97.8 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 95.1 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 77.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 83.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 90.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 92.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 80.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 91.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 98.8 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 95.8 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 99.1 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Prince George's County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Prince George's County:
More on Prince George's County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Laurel, MD at risk of?
Laurel 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 Prince George's County, where Laurel is located, are winter weather, lightning, and heat wave.
What is Laurel's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Prince George's County, where Laurel is located, scoring 99.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Laurel a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Laurel 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 Prince George's County.
Has Laurel had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 36 tornado, 159 hail, 972 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Laurel since 2016.