Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Hagerstown’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hagerstown gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2008.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Hagerstown faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Hagerstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hagerstown, and Hagerstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hagerstown’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $689K a year in losses across Hagerstown: $507K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hagerstown flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hagerstown, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding3 claims · $24K
Hagerstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hagerstown
Disasters that paid out in Hagerstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hagerstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$270K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$23K to the Town of Hagerstown for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes17 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$2K to the Town of Hagerstown for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$987 aid approved
- 2004Snow$8K to the Town of Hagerstown for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$4K to the Town of Hagerstown for repairs
Wayne County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hagerstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hagerstown archive →Get ready for what Hagerstown faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hagerstown
Is Hagerstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hagerstown has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (18%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hagerstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Hagerstown since 2008, $38K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding (3).
Is Hagerstown in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Wayne County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hagerstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hagerstown’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Hagerstown?
By FEMA money that reached Hagerstown, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 41 households applied for aid, $270K approved. By flood claims, 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding: 3 paid, $24K.
Is Hagerstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Hagerstown’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hagerstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hagerstown’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.