Hazard Information
Understanding Hazards in Howard County
Preparedness begins with understanding your local hazards. A hazard is any potential source of harm or difficulty and may be natural or manmade. High-risk hazards have a high likelihood of local occurrence and may result in serious consequences to life safety, property, critical infrastructure, the environment, and the economy.
Risk = Likelihood + Consequence
Hazard Resources
For detailed information on hazard risk in Howard County, the following resources provide detailed information on hazard risk in Howard County:
- Community Hazard Handbook – An overview of local hazards and hazard risk designed for families and businesses in Howard County. This handbook was updated in 2023.
- Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA) – An in-depth resource for understanding hazards and hazard risk in Howard County. The HIRA was updated in 2023.
Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 3 issued Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for areas greater than one square-mile drainage area and the associated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report on August 1, 2025, for Howard County, Maryland and Incorporated Areas. In April 2026, Howard County also released new floodplain maps for drainage areas between 30 acres and one square-mile in the Little Patuxent Watershed and the Patapsco River Lower North Branch Watershed. The appeal period for FEMA's Preliminary FIRMs and associated FIS report opens on September 29, 2026, and concludes exactly 90 days later on December 28, 2026. Residents, business owners, and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. An in-person Public Information Session is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Capitoline Building, 8360 Court Avene, Ellicott City, MD 21043. For more information, visit the Howard County Flood Protection page.
Hazards in Howard County
Howard County's risk assessment includes 25 distinct hazard types.
Human-Caused Hazards
- Active Assailant
- Biological Hazard
- Chemical Hazard
- Civil Unrest
- Cyber Hazard
- Dam Failure
- Emerging/Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Explosives Hazard
- Nuclear Blast
- Opioids Hazard
- Radiological Hazard
- Structure Fire
- Transportation Hazard
- Utility Disruption Hazard
Natural Hazards
HIRA Updates
The Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) is a comprehensive analysis of manmade and natural hazards which could impact Howard County, Maryland. The initial HIRA was developed between the years 2014 and 2015 to serve as a foundational document for emergency preparedness planning efforts within Howard County. Development of the HIRA was led by the Howard County Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The HIRA reflects a whole-community approach to risk assessment involving local government stakeholders, private-sector partners, and private citizens. The updated HIRA was researched and developed between 2022 and early 2023, as such, it does not include references or data pertaining to incidents and events that have occurred since that time.
Prepare Yourself
Understanding your hazard risk is only the first step toward building a resilient community. Learn more about how you can protect your home or business from the consequences of a disaster at the following locations: