Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 21162, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in White Marsh, MD (21162) are Inland Flooding, Heat Wave, and Hurricane. This area also faces an unusually high intensity for Coastal Flooding and Drought 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

$401,628

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 21162

13.9Score

Very Low compared to US average

21162
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Heat Wave

$250,858

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 21162

88.0Score

Relatively High compared to US average

21162
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Hurricane

$110,322

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 21162

73.4Score

Relatively Low compared to US average

21162
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
$401,628
Score: 13.9
MAJOR DRIVER
Heat Wave
$250,858
Score: 88.0
MAJOR DRIVER
Hurricane
$110,322
Score: 73.4
Earthquake
$40,880
Score: 46.5
Cold Wave
$37,568
Score: 33.7
Tornado
$33,175
Score: 32.0
Strong Wind
$22,333
Score: 45.0
Lightning
$17,722
Score: 48.8
Winter Weather
$14,154
Score: 79.4
Hail
$10,878
Score: 49.4
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Coastal Flooding
$5,563
Score: 82.3
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Drought
$3,055
Score: 81.6
Wildfire
$1,710
Score: 67.7
Ice Storm
$1,335
Score: 10.4
Landslide
$12
Score: 59.1

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: 13.9
☀️Low Investment

Heat Wave Mitigation

Ensure attic insulation is R-49+ and consider a dual-fuel backup generator for AC.

Risk Score: 88.0
🌀High Investment

Hurricane Mitigation

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

Risk Score: 73.4
🏠Low Investment

Coastal Flooding Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 82.3
🏠Low Investment

Drought Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 81.6

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 21220Zip Code 21085Zip Code 21087Zip Code 21128Zip Code 21156Zip Code 21236