Photo: Scott Saghirian · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Elkridge than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkridge gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #4 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Elkridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elkridge 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 Elkridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elkridge, and Elkridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #4 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elkridge’s residents live in 4 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, Elkridge has less expected damage per building than 99% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Elkridge: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elkridge flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elkridge, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Elkridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Howard County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Elkridge
Disasters that paid out in Elkridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to Elkridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Howard County has had 18 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 Elkridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elkridge archive →Elkridge and its neighbors
Elkridge is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Elkridge 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 Elkridge
Is Elkridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkridge has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #4 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elkridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Elkridge since 1979, $69K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Elkridge 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 Howard County, 94% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elkridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elkridge’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 Elkridge?
By FEMA money that reached Elkridge, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 7 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Elkridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Elkridge’s rate for it is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elkridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elkridge’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.