FEMA Records
22
Above median
Maryland · FEMA + NOAA + National Risk Index
Howard County, MD
22 FEMA disaster declarations (1971-2026), with a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low. Most common hazard: Flood.
- 22
- FEMA declarations
- 15
- Major disasters
- 72
- NRI risk · Relatively Low
- Flood
- Top hazard
The verdict
Two federal records point in the busier direction for Howard County. Its 22 FEMA declarations are 12% above the Maryland county mean and exceed the count for 57% of the 3,266 counties in this registry. Separately, FEMA's National Risk Index places it in the riskiest 28%, based on modeled expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
- Riskiest 28%
- of U.S. counties for FEMA National Risk Index score
- Relatively Low
- FEMA National Risk Index rating
- 22
- FEMA declarations vs 21 national county avg
- 421
- NFIP flood insurance claims filed
FEMA's National Risk Index and its declaration registry are separate measures. This county's registry includes Major Disaster (DR) and Emergency (EM) records; an EM authorizes a narrower set of federal assistance than a DR.
FEMA OpenFEMA declaration desk
County FIPS 24027 · Howard County 22 declarations · rank 1272/3,266
DECL-HEAVY · MAJOR-MID · RANK-LOWER · PHOTO-FINISH · NRI-LOW · ACT-HIGH · TYPE-LEAD · VS-ST-ABOVE
- DECL-HEAVY 22
- MAJOR-MID 68%
- RANK-LOWER #1,272
- PHOTO-FINISH Hardy
- NRI-LOW 72
- ACT-HIGH High
- TYPE-LEAD Flood
- VS-ST-ABOVE +12%
Nearest declaration peer: Hardy, WV (0 declaration gap)
FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 filing stamps for this county register. Read with this county → · Maryland state profile
Howard County in the declaration-count neighbourhood
FEMA declaration records among Howard County and nearest peers by total count
- Los Angeles · largest
Los Angeles · largest
88 declarations
- Hardy · near 22
Hardy · near
22 declarations
- Howard · this county 22
Howard · this county
22 declarations
- Prairie · near 22
Prairie · near
22 declarations
- St. Francis · near 22
St. Francis · near
22 declarations
- Ujelang · smallest 1
Ujelang · smallest
1 declarations
What this shows Howard County carries 22 FEMA declaration records, ranked 1272 of 3,266 counties in this registry.
How Howard County's FEMA declaration count compares nationally
Howard County vs. all counties in this dataset
FEMA disaster declarations, all-time · Howard County
22 Top 43% higher than 57% of 3,266 counties
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 · 2026-08-25
Howard County's FEMA Risk Index score
Which hazard drives modeled loss here?
FEMA's modeled annual dollar loss for Howard County is led by Riverine Flooding (about $29.9M Expected Annual Loss, Historical Loss Ratio Relatively Moderate), while Winter Weather carries the highest National Risk Index rating (Relatively High). EAL and risk score use different inputs; they need not agree.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025 release) - Expected Annual Loss vs composite risk rating by hazard.
What does Howard County's hazard record show?
Reading the federal records together
The NFIP claims register shows a middle-volume loss record here: 421 paid claims, totaling $15.8M. PlainHazard uses 50-499 claims for this descriptive band; FEMA does not publish it as a safety or coverage category. The $37.5K average describes payments on recorded claims only, leaving uninsured damage and properties without a claim outside the measure.
The declaration register points in the busier direction. Howard County's 22 federal records stand 12% above the Maryland county mean of 19.6. That comparison describes how often federal action was recorded, including any Major Disaster, Emergency, and Fire Management entries shown on this page; it does not convert the count into future probability.
FEMA National Risk Index
This county carries a high composite score on FEMA's National Risk Index, 72.4/100, rated Relatively Low. Its Expected Annual Loss rating is Relatively Low (roughly $52.0M in annualized losses), and a Very Low social-vulnerability profile combined with Very High community resilience shapes how much of that raw exposure becomes realized harm. Of the 18 hazards FEMA models, Winter Weather stands out as the sharpest exposure here, rated Relatively High. FEMA's modeled frequency puts that hazard at an average of 12 times per year here, based on 229 historical events on record.
62 /100
Historical Activity Index
High historical activity
Howard County, MD · PlainHazard-derived composite from federal records
This 0–100 index is an explicit PlainHazard composite from FEMA declaration history only on the county surface (this DB has no county-level NOAA damage row) . It is not FEMA's National Risk Index, not a forecast, and not a safety, insurance, or preparedness rating. Open the calculator · Methodology
FEMA Declarations (1953–present) High
16/30
22 OpenFEMA declarations, full ingest window (1.1x national county average)
County Disaster Density High
14/25
22 declarations (1.1x state county average of 20)
Major Disaster Share High
17/25
15 of 22 declarations are major disasters (68%)
Hazard Diversity Very High
15/20
6 different disaster types declared in Howard County
FEMA NRI 8-hazard radar - Howard County
How to read this radar
Each axis: NRI risk rating (Very Low-Very High) on a 0-100 scale. Rounder = broad exposure; spiky = one or two hazards dominate.
Major Disaster share
68%
Major-heavy
NRI risk score
72
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index Per-county per-hazard ratings, December 2025 release
How often does each hazard strike Howard County?
FEMA's National Risk Index models a historical event count and an annualized frequency for each hazard type. Most hazards are expressed as modeled occurrences per year; FEMA expresses drought and heat-wave frequency as event-days per year. These modeled frequencies are not forecasts.
| Hazard | NRI Risk Rating | Recurrence |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Weather | Relatively High | an average of 12 times per year |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | 5.3 modeled event-days per year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | an average of 8 times per year |
| Lightning | Relatively High | an average of 38 times per year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | roughly once every 10 years |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | an average of 2.6 times per year |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | roughly once every 987 years |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | 5.3 modeled event-days per year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | an average of 3.7 times per year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | roughly once every 1 years |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | an average of 1.6 times per year |
| Landslide | Very Low | roughly once every 4 years |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | roughly once every 5 years |
| Coastal Flooding | Very Low | roughly once every 83 years |
| Wildfire | Very Low | roughly once every 35,980 years |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index Modeled annualized frequency; drought and heat wave use event-days/year, December 2025 release
Disaster Types
Flood 6
Snowstorm 5
Hurricane 5
Severe Storm 3
Biological 2
Winter Storm 1
What Flood declarations mean here
Flood is the most frequent declaration type on Howard County's record, 27% of its declarations. Federal flood declarations cover two mechanisms that behave very differently: riverine flooding, which builds over days as a watershed drains and is usually forecast well in advance, and flash flooding, which can arrive in under an hour from rainfall that fell somewhere upstream.
Flood is also the one hazard class where a second federal dataset exists for the same events. The National Flood Insurance Program records what was actually paid on insured losses, so it measures a narrower thing than the declaration count: uninsured damage, and flooding outside mapped special flood hazard areas, never enters it. Reading the two together is more informative than either alone.
Declaration counts describe past federal action. They are a record of what was declared, not a forecast of future hazard probability.
Declaration Types
What DR / EM / FM mean
FEMA categorizes declarations as Major Disasters (DR), Emergencies (EM), or Fire Management Assistance (FM).
Major Disaster - 15 68.2%
of all 22 declarations
Emergency - 7 31.8%
of all 22 declarations
FEMA Declarations Timeline
| Year | Declarations | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 2 | |
| 2005 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 2 | |
| 2000 | 1 | |
| 1996 | 1 | |
| 1993 | 1 | |
| 1976 | 1 | |
Show 2 earlier declaration years
| 1972 | 1 | |
| 1971 | 1 | |
Disaster Declarations
How the 22 FEMA declarations break into federal action codes (DR / EM / FM). Same DISTINCT grain as the table below.
Download these 22 declarations as CSV . FEMA source data is public domain; our derived presentation is CC0.
| DR# | Title | Type | Incident | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3634 | SEVERE WINTER STORM | EM | Winter Storm | 2026-01-24 |
| 4491 | COVID-19 PANDEMIC | DR | Biological | 2020-03-26 |
| 3430 | COVID-19 | EM | Biological | 2020-03-13 |
| 4376 | SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 2018-07-02 |
| 4279 | SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 2016-09-16 |
| 4261 | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM | DR | Snowstorm | 2016-03-04 |
| 4170 | SNOWSTORM | DR | Severe Storm | 2014-04-10 |
| 4091 | HURRICANE SANDY | DR | Hurricane | 2012-11-20 |
| 3349 | HURRICANE SANDY | EM | Hurricane | 2012-10-28 |
| 4038 | REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE | DR | Flood | 2011-10-05 |
| 3335 | HURRICANE IRENE | EM | Hurricane | 2011-08-27 |
| 1910 | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORMS | DR | Snowstorm | 2010-05-06 |
| 1875 | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM | DR | Snowstorm | 2010-02-19 |
| 3251 | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION | EM | Hurricane | 2005-09-13 |
| 1492 | HURRICANE ISABEL | DR | Hurricane | 2003-09-19 |
| 3179 | SNOW | EM | Severe Storm | 2003-03-14 |
| 1324 | SEVERE WINTER STORM | DR | Severe Storm | 2000-04-10 |
| 1081 | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) | DR | Snowstorm | 1996-01-11 |
| 3100 | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM | EM | Snowstorm | 1993-03-16 |
| 489 | HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1975-10-04 |
Show 2 earlier declaration records
| DR# | Title | Type | Incident | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 341 | TROPICAL STORM AGNES | DR | Flood | 1972-06-23 |
| 309 | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1971-08-17 |
Storm Events in Maryland
Statewide NOAA context only. PlainHazard does not currently attribute these state totals to Howard County.
| Storm Type | Events | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind | 3,959 | 6 | 43 | $102.0M |
| Winter Weather | 1,341 | 4 | 26 | $95.0K |
| Flood | 1,089 | 1 | 0 | $1.4M |
| Flash Flood | 790 | 9 | 4 | $96.3M |
| Dense Fog | 513 | 0 | 0 | $0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database State-level aggregated data, 2015-2025
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
Total Claims
421
Total Paid
$15.8M
Avg Per Claim
$37.5K
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) OpenFEMA Claims Data
FEMA National Risk Index
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Score: 72.4/100
Expected Annual Loss
Relatively Low
$52.0M/year
Social Vulnerability
Very Low
Community Resilience
Very High
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Winter Weather Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Lightning Relatively High
Hurricane Relatively Low
Riverine Flooding Relatively Moderate
Earthquake Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Tornado Relatively Low
Coastal Flooding Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) Ratings reflect relative scores among all US counties. Data: hazards.fema.gov/nri
The model's sharpest exposure here: Winter Weather
Winter Weather in the model means the accumulation of snow and cold that disrupts rather than destroys: road closures, roof loads, burst pipes and lost heating. Its costs land heavily on transport and on households least able to absorb an interruption.
Worth noting for Howard County: the model and the federal record do NOT point at the same hazard. Winter Weather carries the highest modeled rating (Relatively High), while the county's declaration history is led by Flood. That is not a contradiction, the two measure genuinely different things. Declarations record federal ACTION, which requires damage costly enough to exceed state and local capacity; the Risk Index models EXPECTED annual loss across all 18 hazards whether or not any declaration ever followed. A hazard can be the county's largest modeled exposure and never once have driven a declaration.
National Risk Index ratings are modeled estimates of expected annual loss, not predictions of what will happen in any given year.
Data-matched county comparisons
Howard County's closest FEMA peer: Grundy County, TN
Comparisons use published FEMA declaration fields plus the National Risk Index composite for Howard County. Record similarity, not a safety rating.
Closest declaration profiles
Howard County shows 22 FEMA declarations, led by Flood.
Similar Major-disaster share
Howard County: 15 of 22 of its declarations are Major.
Similar modeled NRI score
Howard County: NRI composite 72.4 (Relatively Low).
How these peers are chosen
Cohort: Published U.S. county equivalents outside the source state or territory. Each metric keeps six ETL candidates; three unique destinations are shown after de-duplicating across axes. Declaration-volume ranking combines count and Major-disaster share and prefers a different leading incident type; Major-share ranks the Major fraction adjusted for volume; NRI ranks the modeled composite score only.
Retained FEMA snapshot feed for Howard County - capture-dated entries only.
Compare beyond this state
Nationwide peers by NRI score & FEMA declaration volume
Two PlainHazard-derived comparison paths for Howard County: nearest out-of-state National Risk Index composite and nearest FEMA declaration count (floor ≥5 records). Record similarity only, not a forecast of the next hazard.
Similar NRI composite
Nearest out-of-state counties by FEMA NRI score. This county: 72.4 (Relatively Low).
Similar declaration volume
Nearest out-of-state counties by FEMA declaration count. This county: 22. NRI peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Further reading for this county
Understanding disaster data
Howard County's NFIP claims file (421 claims) and FEMA declaration history measure different federal records - this guide separates them from modeled NRI risk.
More PlainHazard guides
- Most disaster-prone counties - U.S. counties ranked by FEMA declaration totals.
- Understanding disaster data - declarations vs storm events vs NRI scores.
- Preparing for natural disasters - household checklist (not county-specific advice).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common disaster type in Howard County?
The most common disaster type in Howard County is Flood, with 6 declarations. Other disaster types include Snowstorm (5), Hurricane (5), Severe Storm (3).
How does Howard County's FEMA declaration record compare with the Maryland average?
FEMA lists 22 declaration records for Howard County. That is 12% above the Maryland county mean of 19.6. Its count is also 6% above the national county mean of 20.7. A larger declaration history records more federal actions; it is not a forecast of the county's next hazard.
How many major FEMA disaster declarations has Howard County received?
Howard County has received 15 major disaster declarations, representing 68% of all 22 disaster declarations.
How many flood insurance claims has Howard County filed?
Howard County has 421 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims totaling $15.8M in payments, with an average of $37.5K per claim.
Does FEMA's top risk-rated hazard match the highest Expected Annual Loss in Howard County?
No. In Howard County, Winter Weather has the highest National Risk Index rating (Relatively High), while Riverine Flooding leads Expected Annual Loss at about $29.9M. FEMA's risk score and dollar-loss model use different inputs, so the leaders often differ.
What was the worst year for disasters in Howard County?
The most active year for disaster declarations in Howard County was 2003, with 2 declarations. The county has FEMA disaster data spanning 1971 to 2026.
What is the FEMA National Risk Index score for Howard County?
According to the FEMA National Risk Index, Howard County, Maryland has an overall risk score of 72.4 out of 100 (Relatively Low). Social vulnerability here rates Very Low, while community resilience comes in at Very High. The Expected Annual Loss (EAL) score is Relatively Low, representing $52.0M in annualized losses.
Which natural hazard poses the greatest risk to Howard County?
Based on FEMA NRI data, the highest-risk natural hazard in Howard County is Winter Weather (risk rating: Relatively High). Other significant hazards include Heat Wave (Relatively Moderate) and Strong Wind (Relatively High). FEMA's modeled event frequency puts winter weather here at an average of 12 times per year, drawn from 229 historical events on record. FEMA derives these ratings from historical event frequency, the assets exposed, and the community's vulnerability profile.
Data Sources & Methodology
Disaster declaration data comes from the FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 API, which includes all federally declared disasters, emergencies, and fire management assistance grants.
Storm event data is sourced from the NOAA Storm Events Database (2015-2025), which tracks significant weather events including thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, and winter storms.
Flood insurance data comes from the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) OpenFEMA claims dataset.
This data is provided for informational purposes only. FEMA disaster declarations represent federal response actions and may not capture all local emergencies or weather events.
FEMA OpenFEMA declarations + NRI for Howard County · vintage 2026-08-25 · Methodology · Maryland profile · Verify with FEMA OpenFEMA · Verify with NOAA Storm Events