Every federal disaster in Baltimore since 1962
Each square is a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or FEMA that covered Baltimore city. Declarations make federal aid available after hurricanes, floods, storms, fires and other events, so this is a record of the big ones.
- Declarations
- 23since 1962
- Major disasters
- 16the most serious kind
- Since 2000
- 15declarations
- Most recent
- 2026Severe Winter Storm
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Baltimore County's overall natural hazard risk relatively high, led by winter weather, tornado and inland flooding. The history above shows what has actually happened; the risk index estimates what is likely.
All declarations
| Declared | Event | Type | FEMA number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Severe Winter Storm | Emergency | EM-3634 |
| Mar 26, 2020 | COVID-19 Pandemic | Major disaster | DR-4491 |
| Mar 13, 2020 | COVID-19 | Emergency | EM-3430 |
| Mar 4, 2016 | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm | Major disaster | DR-4261 |
| Nov 20, 2012 | Hurricane Sandy | Major disaster | DR-4091 |
| Oct 28, 2012 | Hurricane Sandy | Emergency | EM-3349 |
| Aug 2, 2012 | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds | Major disaster | DR-4075 |
| Sep 16, 2011 | Hurricane Irene | Major disaster | DR-4034 |
| Aug 27, 2011 | Hurricane Irene | Emergency | EM-3335 |
| May 6, 2010 | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms | Major disaster | DR-1910 |
| Feb 19, 2010 | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm | Major disaster | DR-1875 |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Emergency | EM-3251 |
| Sep 19, 2003 | Hurricane Isabel | Major disaster | DR-1492 |
| Mar 14, 2003 | Snow | Emergency | EM-3179 |
| Apr 10, 2000 | Severe Winter Storm | Major disaster | DR-1324 |
| Jan 11, 1996 | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) | Major disaster | DR-1081 |
| Mar 16, 1993 | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm | Emergency | EM-3100 |
| Sep 14, 1979 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Major disaster | DR-601 |
| Jan 26, 1977 | Ice Conditions | Major disaster | DR-524 |
| Oct 4, 1975 | Heavy Rains & Flooding | Major disaster | DR-489 |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Tropical Storm Agnes | Major disaster | DR-341 |
| Aug 17, 1971 | Severe Storms & Flooding | Major disaster | DR-309 |
| Mar 9, 1962 | Severe Storms, High Tides & Flooding | Major disaster | DR-127 |
Frequently asked questions
How many federal disasters has Baltimore had?
Since 1962, the federal government has issued 23 disaster or emergency declarations covering Baltimore city, including 16 major disaster declarations. 15 of them came in 2000 or later.
What was the most recent federal disaster in Baltimore?
Severe Winter Storm (Emergency, declared January 24, 2026).
What kinds of disasters hit Baltimore most often?
By FEMA incident type: snowstorm (6), hurricane (6), flood (4) and severe storm (4).
New to Baltimore? The moving checklist covers flood maps and emergency alerts, and the risk summary shows FEMA's hazard ratings.
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), downloaded October 18, 2026. We list declarations that named Baltimore city, plus early statewide declarations from before FEMA designated individual counties. "Major disaster" declarations bring the widest federal aid; "emergency" declarations cover shorter-term help; "fire management" declarations help pay to fight large wildfires.