States › Maryland › Baltimore County
Baltimore County, Maryland
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
Baltimore County, Maryland, has 1,328 weather events in the NCEI Storm Events record since 1950, most of them damaging wind.
That is 221.9 events per 100 square miles, in line with the Maryland figure of 257.5, and 15.6 per 10,000 residents against 40.6 statewide.
48 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 5 deaths and 115 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $77M and crop damage at $28K.
FEMA has designated the county in 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Severe Winter Storm (emergency, 24 Jan 2026).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 3,366 claims since 1978, of which 2,512 were paid, totalling $70M (about $28K per paid claim). FEMA counts 3,097 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively Moderate" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively Moderate" ($157M a year across 18 hazards).
37 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 1 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Maryland and the United States
| Measure | Baltimore County | Maryland | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 1,328 | 25,002 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 221.9 | 257.5 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 15.6 | 40.6 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 48 | 758 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 5 | 228 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $77M | $1.5B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 4.0 | 4.1 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $28K | $23K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 7.9 | 8.2 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 1,087 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 184 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Jun 1996 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $25K | — | 2 | — | County |
| 3 Aug 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | 1 | 3 | County |
| 1 Oct 1986 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 4 Aug 2022 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 18 Oct 1990 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $25M | — | — | 59 | County |
| 25 Jul 2005 | Heavy Rain | Other | — | — | — | — | 32 | County |
| 16 Jun 1973 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $25K | — | — | 4 | County |
| 27 Sep 1993 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $5K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 15 Aug 1988 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 5 Jul 1990 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 18 Jul 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 8 Nov 1996 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $750K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 26 Jun 1998 | Hail | Hail | 1.00 in | $25K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 2 Nov 2018 | Tornado | Tornado | EF1 | $15K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 16 Nov 1989 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 19 Aug 1991 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 29 Mar 1997 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 1 Mar 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 8 Aug 2018 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 5 Jun 2024 | Tornado | Tornado | EF1 | $10M | — | — | — | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Jan 2026 | EM-3634 | Emergency | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 26 Mar 2020 | DR-4491 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3430 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 2 Jul 2018 | DR-4376 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storm And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 4 Mar 2016 | DR-4261 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 10 Apr 2014 | DR-4170 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 20 Nov 2012 | DR-4091 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 2012 | EM-3349 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 5 Oct 2011 | DR-4038 | Major disaster | Flood | Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Public assistance |
| 16 Sep 2011 | DR-4034 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 27 Aug 2011 | EM-3335 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 6 May 2010 | DR-1910 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Public assistance |
| 19 Feb 2010 | DR-1875 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 13 Sep 2005 | EM-3251 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 19 Sep 2003 | DR-1492 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 14 Mar 2003 | EM-3179 | Emergency | Severe Storm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 10 Apr 2000 | DR-1324 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 11 Jan 1996 | DR-1081 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Blizzard Of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) | Public assistance |
| 16 Mar 1993 | EM-3100 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 14 Sep 1979 | DR-601 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 26 Jan 1977 | DR-524 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Ice Conditions | Individual assistance |
| 4 Oct 1975 | DR-489 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 23 Jun 1972 | DR-341 | Major disaster | Flood | Tropical Storm Agnes | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 17 Aug 1971 | DR-309 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2025 | 7 | 4 | $15,476 | $3,869 |
| 2024 | 109 | 101 | $2,055,946 | $20,356 |
| 2023 | 11 | 6 | $65,874 | $10,979 |
| 2022 | 5 | 4 | $18,153 | $4,538 |
| 2021 | 32 | 21 | $463,425 | $22,068 |
| 2020 | 15 | 9 | $58,353 | $6,484 |
| 2019 | 7 | 4 | $16,440 | $4,110 |
| 2018 | 54 | 36 | $485,944 | $13,498 |
| 2017 | 4 | 2 | $9,665 | $4,832 |
| 2016 | 35 | 29 | $1,257,067 | $43,347 |
| 2015 | 21 | 10 | $84,962 | $8,496 |
| 2014 | 46 | 29 | $724,278 | $24,975 |
| 2013 | 12 | 7 | $112,539 | $16,077 |
| 2012 | 51 | 29 | $399,186 | $13,765 |
| 2011 | 147 | 97 | $3,137,565 | $32,346 |
| 2010 | 48 | 22 | $528,495 | $24,023 |
| 2009 | 15 | 7 | $36,349 | $5,193 |
| 2008 | 14 | 7 | $259,993 | $37,142 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2006 | 35 | 20 | $333,669 | $16,683 |
| 2005 | 8 | 2 | $6,689 | $3,345 |
| 2004 | 32 | 24 | $1,012,713 | $42,196 |
| 2003 | 1,536 | 1,316 | $50,648,846 | $38,487 |
| 2002 | 5 | 0 | $0 | — |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $67,286,008 | |
| Heat wave | $42,558,303 | |
| Hurricane | $13,772,188 | |
| Earthquake | $8,394,854 | |
| Cold wave | $6,992,231 | |
| Tornado | $4,283,015 | |
| Strong wind | $3,483,740 | |
| Lightning | $3,233,824 | |
| Winter weather | $2,710,614 | |
| Coastal flooding | $1,601,306 | |
| Hail | $1,355,905 | |
| Drought | $1,140,769 | |
| Ice storm | $223,039 | |
| Wildfire | $26,747 | |
| Landslide | $9,168 | |
| Avalanche | $8 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elsa | 2021 | 94 mi | 58 mph |
| Ida | 2021 | 59 mi | 40 mph |
| Sandy | 2012 | 39 mi | 63 mph |
| Ernesto | 2006 | 32 mi | 46 mph |
| Bertha | 1996 | 84 mi | 69 mph |
| Danielle | 1992 | 40 mi | 46 mph |
| Doria | 1971 | 96 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1963 | 89 mi | 46 mph |
| Brenda | 1960 | 87 mi | 58 mph |
| Connie | 1955 | 24 mi | 58 mph |
| Diane | 1955 | 19 mi | 46 mph |
| Hazel | 1954 | 61 mi | 81 mph |
| Able | 1952 | 26 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1949 | 94 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1945 | 82 mi | 40 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1944 | 69 mi | 40 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1943 | 11 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1934 | 53 mi | 46 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1933 | 60 mi | 63 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1929 | 36 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1928 | 76 mi | 46 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1915 | 63 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1904 | 90 mi | 75 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1899 | 63 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1893 | 62 mi | 63 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
- 21220 923
- 21219 659
- 21222 525
- 21221 197
- 21030 154
- 21207 148
- 21208 111
- 21228 97
- 21227 65
- 21204 60
- 21093 56
- 21162 48
- 21237 47
- 21133 31
- 21234 31
- 21117 30
- 21152 30
- 21244 30
- 21111 26
- 21022 23
- 21236 16
- 21120 14
- 21128 10
- 21136 10
- 21286 10
- 21052 8
- 21153 6
- 21087 5
- 21161 5
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Baltimore County, MD?
NCEI records 146 hail events in Baltimore County since 1950, in 36 different years; that is about 1.9 recorded events a year. 23 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Baltimore County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 32 tornadoes in Baltimore County since 1950, 3 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Baltimore County?
24 Jan 2026: Severe Winter Storm, a emergency declaration for winter storm. The county appears in 24 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Baltimore County, and how much was paid?
3,366 NFIP claims since 1978, 2,512 of them paid, for $70M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Baltimore County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively Moderate" for overall risk, "Relatively Moderate" for expected annual loss, "Relatively Low" for social vulnerability and "Very High" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Baltimore County compare with the rest of Maryland?
221.9 recorded events per 100 square miles against 257.5 statewide, and 4.0 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 4.1. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.