Natural Disaster Risk in Westernport

Natural Hazard Profile: Westernport, Maryland

Westernport, in Allegany County, is a town of roughly 3,032 residents situated along the mid-Atlantic coast. Its humid subtropical climate brings warm summers, mild winters, and coastal storm exposure, and in particular tropical storm and nor'easter impacts. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Westernport residents and property owners must navigate.

Westernport's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.1/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Secondary hazards include avalanche and hurricane.

Within Maryland, Westernport's risk is, slightly below the 6.5/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Allegany County identifies landslide as the foremost hazard, followed by avalanche and hurricane. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Westernport residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for landslide and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.