Chestertown Historic District · Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Chestertown than in 84% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chestertown gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #235 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (39%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1979.
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 Chestertown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chestertown faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Coastal flooding
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 Chestertown’s grade
Hurricanes are 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chestertown, and Chestertown’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #235 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chestertown’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, Chestertown has more expected damage per building than 90% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Chestertown: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chestertown flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chestertown, from FEMA’s records: 13.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel24 claims · $789K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $48K
Chestertown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kent County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chestertown
Disasters that paid out in Chestertown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Chestertown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$40K to the Town of Chestertown for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$7K to the Town of Chestertown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$31K to the Town of Chestertown for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Town of Chestertown for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel85 households applied for aid$195K aid approved$14K to the Town of Chestertown for repairs24 flood claims paid for it, $789K
- 2003Snow$14K to the Town of Chestertown for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$14K to the Town of Chestertown for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$19K to the Town of Chestertown for repairs
Kent County has had 16 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 Chestertown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chestertown archive →Get ready for what Chestertown faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Chestertown
Is Chestertown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chestertown has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #235 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (39%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chestertown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Chestertown since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 13.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (24).
Is Chestertown 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 Kent County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chestertown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chestertown’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 Chestertown?
By FEMA money that reached Chestertown, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 85 households applied for aid, $195K approved, and $14K to the Town of Chestertown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 24 paid, $789K.
Is Chestertown at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Chestertown’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chestertown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chestertown’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.