Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Boonsboro than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boonsboro gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #216 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (15%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Boonsboro 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 Boonsboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Boonsboro, and Boonsboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 15% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A #216 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Boonsboro’s residents live in 2 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, Boonsboro has more expected damage per building than 83% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $723K a year in losses across Boonsboro: $548K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Boonsboro flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Boonsboro. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Boonsboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Boonsboro
Disasters that paid out in Boonsboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Boonsboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Boonsboro for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$6K to the Town of Boonsboro for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel3 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2003Snow$11K to the Town of Boonsboro for repairs
Washington County has had 13 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 Boonsboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Boonsboro archive →Get ready for what Boonsboro 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 Boonsboro
Is Boonsboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boonsboro has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #216 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Boonsboro 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 Washington County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Boonsboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Boonsboro’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 Boonsboro?
By FEMA money that reached Boonsboro, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $16K to the Town of Boonsboro for repairs.
Is Boonsboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Boonsboro’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Boonsboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Boonsboro’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.