Hazard Information

Harford County is a beautiful place to live and work, but it's not immune to major disasters. Harford County experiences a wide variety of natural and man-made hazards. The Department of Emergency Services encourages all of its residents and visitors to learn about potential hazards and be better prepared when they inevitably impact our area.

The links listed to the left represent Harford County's top hazard risks. Many of these hazards can cause similar consequences such as power outages, road/bridge closures, evacuations, structural damage, and other threats to health and safety. 

Please explore the links provided and ensure you and your family are prepared!

One important step you can take is to purchase a NOAA Hazard Alert Radio with Specific Area Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.) technology. These radios broadcast National Weather Service (NWS) advisories, watches, warnings, and other hazard information 24 hours a day. For less than the cost of a new pair of shoes, you can own a Hazard Alert Radio that provides instant access to the same weather reports and emergency information that meteorologists and emergency personnel use — information that can save your life!

Hazard Alert Radio

Hazard Alert Radios are equipped with an alarm tone and will immediately relay information about a life-threatening situation. During an emergency, NWS forecasters will interrupt routine weather radio programming and send out the special tone that activates all properly programmed Hazard Alert Radios in the listening area. When programming a Hazard Alert Radio for Harford County, use S.A.M.E. code 024025.

Persons with access and functional needs can get these warnings by connecting Hazard Alert Radios to other kinds of attention-getting devices like strobe lights, pagers, and bed-shakers.

Check with stores that sell electronics or contact the NWS office in Sterling, Virginia at (703996-2200. More information is available at the https://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr.