Photo: Benson Lossing · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Bladensburg than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bladensburg gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #112 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2006.
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 Bladensburg 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 Bladensburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bladensburg, and Bladensburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #112 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bladensburg’s residents live in 4 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, Bladensburg has less expected damage per building than 57% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Bladensburg: $666K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bladensburg flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bladensburg, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bladensburg 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 Bladensburg
Disasters that paid out in Bladensburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bladensburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Town of Bladensburg for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$22K to the Town of Bladensburg for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel20 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$18K to the Town of Bladensburg for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Bladensburg for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$5K to the Town of Bladensburg 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 Bladensburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bladensburg archive →Bladensburg and its neighbors
Bladensburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bladensburg | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Cheverly | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| East Riverdale | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cottage City | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Edmonston | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Bladensburg 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bladensburg
Is Bladensburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bladensburg has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #112 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bladensburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Bladensburg since 2006, $286K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bladensburg 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 Bladensburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bladensburg’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 Bladensburg?
By FEMA money that reached Bladensburg, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 20 households applied for aid, $19K approved, and $18K to the Town of Bladensburg for repairs.
Is Bladensburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Bladensburg’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bladensburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bladensburg’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.