Photo: Matthew Binebrink · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Cumberland than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cumberland gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #246 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1989.
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 Cumberland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cumberland 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
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 Cumberland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cumberland, and Cumberland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #246 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cumberland’s residents live in 8 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, Cumberland has more expected damage per building than 94% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Cumberland: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cumberland flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cumberland, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $4K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $432
Cumberland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegany County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cumberland
Disasters that paid out in Cumberland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cumberland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$69K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$20K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$137K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel2 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$2K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2003Snow$45K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
Allegany 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 Cumberland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cumberland archive →Cumberland and its neighbors
Cumberland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Bowmans Addition | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bowling Green | — | 966 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 Cumberland 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.
- 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 Cumberland
Is Cumberland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cumberland has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #246 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cumberland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Cumberland since 1989, $119K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (1).
Is Cumberland 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 Allegany County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cumberland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cumberland’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 Cumberland?
By FEMA money that reached Cumberland, Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms (2010): $137K to the City of Cumberland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Cumberland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Cumberland’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cumberland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cumberland’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.