Natural Disasters in Riverside, MD

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

72.5

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

84.2

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

10.6

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

91.6

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Winter Weather94.0Heat Wave90.9Hurricane81.6
HazardRisk Score
Winter Weather94.0
Heat Wave90.9
Hurricane81.6
Lightning80.8
Strong Wind78.0
Earthquake76.1
Drought72.5
Cold Wave69.9
Ice Storm55.5
Landslide49.9
Coastal Flood47.8
Tornado35.7
Wildfire19.0
Hail10.2
Avalanche4.1

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 OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

20

Most Recent

Winter Storm

Jan 2026

Most Common Type

Hurricane

7 declarations

DateTypeDeclaration
Jan 24, 2026Winter StormSEVERE WINTER STORM
Mar 26, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19
Mar 4, 2016SnowstormSEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM
Nov 20, 2012HurricaneHURRICANE SANDY
Oct 28, 2012HurricaneHURRICANE SANDY
Oct 5, 2011FloodREMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE
Sep 16, 2011HurricaneHURRICANE IRENE
Aug 27, 2011HurricaneHURRICANE IRENE
May 6, 2010SnowstormSEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORMS
Feb 19, 2010SnowstormSEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM
Sep 13, 2005HurricaneHURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Sep 19, 2003HurricaneHURRICANE ISABEL
Mar 14, 2003Severe StormSNOW
Sep 24, 1999HurricaneHURRICANE FLOYD MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATIONS
Jan 11, 1996SnowstormBLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM)
Mar 16, 1993SnowstormSEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM
Jan 26, 1977SnowstormICE CONDITIONS
Jun 23, 1972FloodTROPICAL STORM AGNES
Aug 17, 1971FloodSEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

353

Total Claims Paid

$3,963,026

Avg Claim Payout

$11,227

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$5,006,128

Disasters with PA

6

Total Projects

195

DisasterTypeProjectsFederal $
DR-4261Snow29$1,830,348
DR-4091Hurricane53$1,281,855
DR-4034Hurricane56$1,088,667
DR-1303Hurricane51$700,349
DR-4491Biological5$82,451
DR-4038Flood1$22,458

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

12

Federal Funding

$3,242,328

Properties Protected

4

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

4.63

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
601.2: Generators - Regular4$2,603,391
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine3$434,636
91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan1$0
202.1: Elevation of Private Structures - Riverine1$57,364
202.2: Elevation of Private Structures - Coastal1$4,406

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Riverside has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are winter weather, heat wave, hurricane. The area has had 20 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (7 declarations). 353 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $5,006,128 in public assistance recovery funding. 12 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.