FEMA rates relative lightning risk for Frederick County as relatively high and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 41.253 per year for the area.
FEMA summary
FEMA's profile for Frederick County reports FEMA annualized frequency of 41.253 per year for lightning. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is relatively high; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.
Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.
Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for Frederick County.
Lightning
FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.
Relative FEMA score
93.4/100
Occurrence thresholds vary by hazard. The FEMA methodology defines the value for each hazard.
The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across Frederick County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.
City risk summary
For Frederick, FEMA rates lightning risk for Frederick County as relatively high, with a relative score of 93.4/100. The next highest relative scores are heat wave at 93.4/100 and winter weather at 90.7/100.
Using FEMA data for Frederick County, Frederick is #1 among 5 covered Maryland entries for lightning risk. Hagerstown is about 22 straight-line miles from the Frederick map point; its FEMA figures cover Washington County.
For homeowners and movers
Preparedness actions
Living in Frederick? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.
The map shows Frederick. All FEMA figures on this page cover Frederick County.
The FEMA figures cover Frederick County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.
FEMA rates relative lightning risk for Frederick County as relatively high. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 41.253 per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.
Among 5 Maryland cities covered by this directory, Frederick is #1 for relative lightning risk based on FEMA's score for Frederick County. Homes within Frederick can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.
In FEMA's data for Frederick County, the highest relative ratings are Lightning (Relatively High), Heat Wave (Relatively Moderate), and Winter Weather (Relatively High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.
The hazard numbers cover Frederick County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.
FEMA gives Frederick County an overall relative risk rating of relatively low. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.
Start with this step: Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions. Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions. Use Ready.gov Be Informed and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.
Distances are measured between city coordinates.
| City | Distance | Lightning rating | Relative score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown, MD | 22 mi | Relatively Low | 40.6 |
| Columbia, MD | 34 mi | Relatively High | 93.4 |
| Arlington, VA | 42 mi | Relatively Moderate | 69.8 |
| Washington, DC | 42 mi | Relatively High | 91.1 |
| Baltimore, MD | 44 mi | Relatively High | 92.8 |
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View productHazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.