Photo: S. Clyde · Public domainFEMA puts Centreville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centreville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #180 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1985.
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 Centreville 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
Tornadoes
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 Centreville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Centreville, and Centreville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #180 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Centreville’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, Centreville has more expected damage per building than 69% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Centreville: $690K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Centreville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Centreville, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $10K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $7K
Centreville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Queen Anne's County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Centreville
Disasters that paid out in Centreville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Centreville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$46K to the Town of Centreville for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$16K to the Town of Centreville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$45K to the Town of Centreville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$38K to the Town of Centreville for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Town of Centreville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel19 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$8K to the Town of Centreville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$18K to the Town of Centreville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$5K to the Town of Centreville for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$9K to the Town of Centreville for repairs
Queen Anne's 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 Centreville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Centreville archive →Get ready for what Centreville 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Centreville
Is Centreville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centreville has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #180 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Centreville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Centreville since 1985, $22K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Centreville 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 Queen Anne's County, 7.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Centreville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Centreville’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 Centreville?
By FEMA money that reached Centreville, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 19 households applied for aid, $54K approved, and $8K to the Town of Centreville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Centreville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Centreville’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Centreville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Centreville’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.