Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Arnold than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arnold gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #19 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 1979.
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 Arnold’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arnold 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
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 Arnold’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arnold, and Arnold’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #19 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arnold’s residents live in 6 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, Arnold has less expected damage per building than 93% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Arnold: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arnold flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arnold, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel18 claims · $686K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $12K
Arnold isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Anne Arundel County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Arnold
Disasters that paid out in Arnold itself (aid to households or repair grants to Arnold), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel67 households applied for aid$127K aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $686K
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 Arnold after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arnold archive →Arnold and its neighbors
Arnold is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parole | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Cape St. Claire | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Arnold | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Lake Shore | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 110 |
| Severna Park | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
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 Arnold 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.
- 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 Arnold
Is Arnold at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arnold has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #19 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arnold flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Arnold since 1979, $755K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (18).
Is Arnold 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 Arnold?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arnold’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 Arnold?
By FEMA money that reached Arnold, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 67 households applied for aid, $127K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 18 paid, $686K.
Is Arnold at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Arnold’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arnold.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arnold’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.