Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Crisfield than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crisfield gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 363 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 Crisfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Crisfield faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal 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. 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 Crisfield’s grade
Coastal flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crisfield, and Crisfield’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #261 of 261 in Maryland; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crisfield’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, Crisfield has more expected damage per building than 100% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Crisfield: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crisfield flood? Yes: 363 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crisfield, from FEMA’s records: 256.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy202 claims · $4.4M
- Hurricane Floyd34 claims · $300K
- Hurricane Isabel33 claims · $514K
Crisfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crisfield
Disasters that paid out in Crisfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crisfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy932 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$190K to the City of Crisfield for repairs202 flood claims paid for it, $4.4M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$34K to the City of Crisfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel242 households applied for aid$442K aid approved$42K to the City of Crisfield for repairs33 flood claims paid for it, $514K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$85K to the City of Crisfield for repairs34 flood claims paid for it, $300K
Somerset County has had 9 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 Crisfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crisfield archive →Get ready for what Crisfield faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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 Crisfield
Is Crisfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crisfield has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (84%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crisfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 363 claims in Crisfield since 1979, $5.9M in all, or 256.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 29 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (202).
Is Crisfield 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 Somerset County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 15.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crisfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crisfield’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 Crisfield?
By FEMA money that reached Crisfield, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 932 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $190K to the City of Crisfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 202 paid, $4.4M.
Is Crisfield at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Crisfield’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crisfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crisfield’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.