Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 21742
Hagerstown, Maryland
Risk Summary for ZIP 21742
ZIP 21742 scores 6.8/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Hurricane.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: ZIP 21742, Maryland
Located along the mid-Atlantic coast, ZIP 21742 serves the Hagerstown community. The humid subtropical climate of this part of Maryland — bringing warm summers, mild winters, and coastal storm exposure — directly shapes the hazard exposure for properties in this postal area.
ZIP 21742's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.8/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane risk defines the natural hazard environment here, requiring residents to maintain seasonal preparedness plans and insurance coverage for wind and flood damage. Secondary hazards include drought and avalanche.
Relative to other U.S. communities, ZIP 21742's natural disaster risk is well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, near the 6.5/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by hurricane and drought, as measured by FEMA across Maryland. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, ZIP 21742 residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for hurricane 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.
What this means for ZIP 21742: Hurricane preparedness
- Know your evacuation zone and route before hurricane season begins each June.
- Keep at least a week of supplies on hand; power and water service can be disrupted for days after landfall.
- Wind damage is usually covered by homeowners insurance, but storm-surge flooding requires separate flood coverage.
Risk for the surrounding area
Local Factors for ZIP 21742
These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 21742 from other communities in Maryland County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
34,069
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 39.7°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 4.6/10
Coordinates
39.6736° N, 77.6593° W
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for ZIP 21742
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
Nearby ZIP codes
Other cities in Maryland
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). County-level data applied to ZIP codes within each county. Scores are normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. This information is for general awareness only — consult official emergency management resources and a licensed insurer for property-specific advice.