Natural Disaster Risk in Upper Marlboro

Natural Hazard Profile: Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Located along the mid-Atlantic coast in Prince George's County, Upper Marlboro is a city of 54,319 residents. The humid subtropical climate that characterizes this part of Maryland — marked by warm summers, mild winters, and coastal storm exposure — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Upper Marlboro a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

FEMA rates Upper Marlboro's composite natural disaster risk at 8.3 out of 10 — very high risk. Lightning from frequent convective storms is the leading natural hazard, with above-average strike density creating risks for outdoor activities, trees, and sensitive infrastructure. Residents should also account for winter and heat risk in their preparedness planning.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Upper Marlboro's natural disaster risk is well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, considerably above the 6.5/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by lightning and winter, as measured by FEMA across Prince George's County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

Given Upper Marlboro's very high risk classification, residents should treat disaster preparedness as a year-round priority. This means maintaining updated homeowners and flood insurance, building a 72-hour emergency kit, knowing the evacuation routes for the primary hazards, and signing up for local emergency alert systems.