Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Aberdeen than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aberdeen gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #211 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Aberdeen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Aberdeen 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
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 Aberdeen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aberdeen, and Aberdeen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A #211 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aberdeen’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Maryland town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, Aberdeen has more expected damage per building than 81% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Aberdeen: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aberdeen flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aberdeen, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel2 claims · $13K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $26K
Aberdeen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harford County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aberdeen
Disasters that paid out in Aberdeen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Aberdeen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$59K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$36K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$2K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$74K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$57K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2003Hurricane Isabel171 households applied for aid$159K aid approved$1K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $13K
- 2003Snow$25K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$14K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $26K
Harford County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Aberdeen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aberdeen archive →Aberdeen and its neighbors
Aberdeen is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen Proving Ground | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Perryman | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Havre de Grace | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Aberdeen | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Aberdeen 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Aberdeen
Is Aberdeen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aberdeen has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #211 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aberdeen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Aberdeen since 1978, $178K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (2).
Is Aberdeen 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 Harford County, 46% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aberdeen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aberdeen’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 Aberdeen?
By FEMA money that reached Aberdeen, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 171 households applied for aid, $159K approved, and $1K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 2 paid, $13K.
Is Aberdeen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Aberdeen’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aberdeen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aberdeen’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.