Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 21797, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Eldersburg, MD (21797) are Inland Flooding, Drought, and Hurricane. This area also faces an unusually high intensity for Winter Weather compared to national averages.

Understanding the Dollars

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) is a statistical average of property damage for this entire zip code over a standard year across all properties.

  • / It represents the "average cost" rather than a guaranteed yearly bill.
  • / It can be used to compare the relative risk from different hazards and across different neighborhoods.

Primary Risks

Inland Flooding

$805,685

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 21797

35.5Score

Relatively Low compared to US average

21797
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Drought

$235,385

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 21797

95.8Score

Relatively Moderate compared to US average

21797
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Hurricane

$108,791

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 21797

71.3Score

Relatively Low compared to US average

21797
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Zip Code Risk Map

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Inland Flooding
$805,685
Score: 35.5
MAJOR DRIVER
Drought
$235,385
Score: 95.8
MAJOR DRIVER
Hurricane
$108,791
Score: 71.3
Strong Wind
$105,696
Score: 78.3
Heat Wave
$76,892
Score: 53.0
Earthquake
$51,978
Score: 48.9
Cold Wave
$42,818
Score: 33.4
Tornado
$40,379
Score: 32.4
Lightning
$31,175
Score: 60.9
Hail
$27,963
Score: 64.4
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Winter Weather
$17,970
Score: 81.2
Ice Storm
$5,737
Score: 38.0
Wildfire
$214
Score: 41.5
Landslide
$167
Score: 78.8

Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

💧Medium Investment

Inland Flooding Mitigation

Install a smart sump pump with battery backup and extend downspouts 10ft from foundation.

Risk Score: 35.5
🏠Low Investment

Drought Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 95.8
🌀High Investment

Hurricane Mitigation

Install permanent hurricane shutters or upgrade to impact-resistant windows.

Risk Score: 71.3
🏠Low Investment

Winter Weather Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 81.2

Methodology and Sources

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

  • FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0)
  • U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Locations

Zip Code 21771Zip Code 21723Zip Code 21738Zip Code 21784Zip Code 20833Zip Code 21794