Photo: Blacktupelo · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than College Park, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, College Park gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #49 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 41 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 College Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What College Park 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 College Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in College Park, and College Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 15% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #49 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
College Park’s residents live in 9 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, College Park has less expected damage per building than 82% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across College Park: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does College Park flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in College Park, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $17K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $2K
College Park 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to College Park
Disasters that paid out in College Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of College Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$57K to the City of College Park for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$9K to the City of College Park for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$9K to the City of College Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$35K to the City of College Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel13 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$25K to the City of College Park for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2003Snow$38K to the City of College Park for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$27K to the City of College Park 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 College Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the College Park archive →College Park and its neighbors
College Park is 2nd of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beltsville | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| College Park | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Greenbelt | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| University Park | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Adelphi | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Berwyn Heights | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Riverdale Park | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 College Park 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 College Park
Is College Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, College Park has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #49 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does College Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in College Park since 2003, $428K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is College Park 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 College Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for College Park’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 College Park?
By FEMA money that reached College Park, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $57K to the City of College Park for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $17K.
Is College Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and College Park’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in College Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where College Park’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.