Photo: Flickr user: high limitzz https://www.flickr.com/people/highlimitstudio/ · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Annapolis, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Annapolis gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #12 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 127 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 Annapolis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Annapolis 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
Coastal flooding
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 Annapolis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Annapolis, and Annapolis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #12 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Annapolis’ residents live in 14 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, Annapolis has less expected damage per building than 96% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Annapolis: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Annapolis flood? Yes: 127 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Annapolis, from FEMA’s records: 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel66 claims · $4.1M
- Hurricane Fran4 claims · $26K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $5K
Annapolis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Anne Arundel County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Annapolis
Disasters that paid out in Annapolis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Annapolis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$254K to the City of Annapolis for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel385 households applied for aid$559K aid approved$189K to the City of Annapolis for repairs66 flood claims paid for it, $4.1M
- 2003Snow$92K to the City of Annapolis for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$68K to the City of Annapolis for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$82K to the City of Annapolis for repairs
Anne Arundel County has had 19 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 Annapolis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Annapolis archive →Annapolis and its neighbors
Annapolis is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Academy | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Parole | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Annapolis | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 127 |
| Annapolis Neck | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 226 |
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 Annapolis 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Annapolis residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Annapolis
Is Annapolis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Annapolis has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #12 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Annapolis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 127 claims in Annapolis since 1978, $5.6M in all, or 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (66).
Is Annapolis 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 Anne Arundel County, 2.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Annapolis?
Annapolis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Annapolis?
By FEMA money that reached Annapolis, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 385 households applied for aid, $559K approved, and $189K to the City of Annapolis for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 66 paid, $4.1M.
Is Annapolis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Annapolis’ rate for it is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Annapolis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Annapolis’ 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.