Photo: Matthew Binebrink · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Baltimore’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baltimore gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #186 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 763 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 Baltimore’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Baltimore 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 Baltimore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Baltimore, and Baltimore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A #186 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Baltimore’s residents live in 199 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, Baltimore has more expected damage per building than 71% of Maryland towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Baltimore has lower expected damage per building than 97% (#12 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $136M, is the 71th largest of those 400.
Does Baltimore flood? Yes: 763 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Baltimore, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel149 claims · $8.3M
- The Mid-spring storms39 claims · $3.1M
- Hurricane Sandy13 claims · $40K
Baltimore is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Baltimore
Disasters that paid out in Baltimore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Baltimore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7.8M to the City of Baltimore for repairs25 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Snowstorm$24K to the City of Baltimore for repairs46 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$2.8M to the City of Baltimore for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $40K
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$1.9M to the City of Baltimore for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$1.3M to the City of Baltimore for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $31K
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$5.9M to the City of Baltimore for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$1.3M to the City of Baltimore for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$95K to the City of Baltimore for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel1,683 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$4.4M to the City of Baltimore for repairs149 flood claims paid for it, $8.3M
- 2003Snow$700K to the City of Baltimore for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$831K to the City of Baltimore for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Baltimore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Baltimore archive →Baltimore and its neighbors
Baltimore is 8th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Dundalk | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 302 |
| Pikesville | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Arbutus | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Towson | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 65 |
| Woodlawn | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Parkville | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Baltimore | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 763 |
| Brooklyn Park | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Rosedale | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Lochearn | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
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 Baltimore 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.
- Baltimore residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Baltimore
Is Baltimore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baltimore has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #186 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Baltimore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 763 claims in Baltimore since 1978, $27.4M in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 73 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (149).
Is Baltimore 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 the county, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Baltimore?
Baltimore is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Baltimore?
By FEMA money that reached Baltimore, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $7.8M to the City of Baltimore for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 149 paid, $8.3M.
Is Baltimore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Baltimore’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Baltimore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Baltimore’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.