Natural Disasters in Bel Air, MD
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
58.5
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
50.6
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
81.2
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
80.9
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Landslide | 93.2 |
| Strong Wind | 73.7 |
| Winter Weather | 72.8 |
| Heat Wave | 72.7 |
| Hurricane | 67.7 |
| Hail | 64.6 |
| Avalanche | 57.2 |
| Lightning | 53.2 |
| Earthquake | 52.9 |
| Drought | 46.6 |
| Ice Storm | 39.9 |
| Tornado | 35.8 |
| Wildfire | 21.0 |
| Cold Wave | 16.2 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
17
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
6 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Mar 26, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Mar 4, 2016 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Nov 20, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Oct 28, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Aug 27, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| May 6, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORMS |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 19, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Mar 14, 2003 | Severe Storm | SNOW |
| Sep 17, 1996 | Hurricane | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING ASSOC WITH TROPICAL STORM FRAN |
| Jan 23, 1996 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jan 11, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 16, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM |
| Sep 10, 1986 | Flood | SEVERE STORM & FLOODING |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
376
Total Claims Paid
$5,356,612
Avg Claim Payout
$14,246
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$2,547,158
Disasters with PA
3
Total Projects
29
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4491 | Biological | 5 | $2,092,704 |
| DR-4261 | Snow | 14 | $309,859 |
| DR-4091 | Hurricane | 10 | $144,595 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
23
Federal Funding
$2,222,884
Properties Protected
51
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
8.78
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 11 | $1,627,763 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 3 | $32,288 |
| 91.5: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 2 | $55,200 |
| 200.3: Acquisition of Public Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 2 | $233,881 |
| 200.6: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Landslide | 1 | $48,806 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Bel Air has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, strong wind, winter weather. The area has had 17 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (6 declarations). 376 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $2,547,158 in public assistance recovery funding. 23 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.