Photo: geraldshields11 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Berwyn Heights faces less hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berwyn Heights gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #234 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1993.
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 Berwyn Heights 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 Berwyn Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berwyn Heights, and Berwyn Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #234 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Berwyn Heights’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maryland town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, Berwyn Heights has more expected damage per building than 90% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $452K a year in losses across Berwyn Heights: $330K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Berwyn Heights flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berwyn Heights, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Berwyn Heights isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Prince George's County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Berwyn Heights
Disasters that paid out in Berwyn Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Berwyn Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Berwyn Heights for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$20K to the Town of Berwyn Heights for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel1 households applied for aid$8K to the Town of Berwyn Heights for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Berwyn Heights for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$3K to the Town of Berwyn Heights for repairs
Prince George's County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Berwyn Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berwyn Heights archive →Berwyn Heights and its neighbors
Berwyn Heights is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Park | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Greenbelt | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Berwyn Heights | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Berwyn Heights 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 Berwyn Heights
Is Berwyn Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berwyn Heights has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #234 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (9%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Berwyn Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Berwyn Heights since 1993, $4K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Berwyn Heights 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 Prince George's County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Berwyn Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Berwyn Heights’ 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 Berwyn Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Berwyn Heights, Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms (2010): $20K to the Town of Berwyn Heights for repairs.
Is Berwyn Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Berwyn Heights’ rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berwyn Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berwyn Heights’ 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.