Photo: Squelle · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Berlin’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berlin gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #231 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2012.
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 Berlin faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Berlin’s grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berlin, and Berlin’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #231 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Berlin’s residents live in 3 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, Berlin has more expected damage per building than 88% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Berlin: $898K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Berlin flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berlin, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy4 claims · $56K
Berlin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Worcester County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Berlin
Disasters that paid out in Berlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Berlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$15K to the Town of Berlin for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $56K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$39K to the Town of Berlin for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel6 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$15K to the Town of Berlin for repairs
Worcester County has had 9 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 Berlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berlin archive →Get ready for what Berlin faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Berlin
Is Berlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berlin has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #231 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Berlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Berlin since 2012, $196K in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (4).
Is Berlin 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 Worcester County, 23.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Berlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Berlin’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 Berlin?
By FEMA money that reached Berlin, Hurricane Irene (2011): $39K to the Town of Berlin for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 4 paid, $56K.
Is Berlin at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Berlin’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berlin’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.