Chapel of the Incarnation · Photo: Pubdog at en.wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Brandywine’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandywine gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #70 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2003.
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 Brandywine’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brandywine 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 Brandywine’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brandywine, and Brandywine’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #70 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brandywine’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, Brandywine has less expected damage per building than 73% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Brandywine: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brandywine flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brandywine, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $37K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $2K
Brandywine 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Brandywine
Disasters that paid out in Brandywine itself (aid to households or repair grants to Brandywine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel14 households applied for aid$23K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
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 Brandywine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brandywine archive →Brandywine and its neighbors
Brandywine has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandywine | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Waldorf | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Croom | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Clinton | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Rosaryville | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Accokeek | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Cedarville | — | 730 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Brandywine 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 Brandywine
Is Brandywine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandywine has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #70 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brandywine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Brandywine since 2003, $83K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Brandywine 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 Brandywine?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brandywine’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 Brandywine?
By FEMA money that reached Brandywine, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 14 households applied for aid, $23K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $37K.
Is Brandywine at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Brandywine’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brandywine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brandywine’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.