Photo: Jcantroot · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Elkton than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkton gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #149 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 100 claims here since 1978.
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 Elkton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elkton 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
Tornadoes
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 Elkton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elkton, and Elkton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #149 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elkton’s residents live in 5 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, Elkton has more expected damage per building than 57% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Elkton: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elkton flood? Yes: 100 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elkton, from FEMA’s records: 15.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms10 claims · $396K
- Hurricane Ida9 claims · $1.0M
- Hurricane Floyd8 claims · $424K
Elkton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cecil County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elkton
Disasters that paid out in Elkton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Elkton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$65K to the Town of Elkton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$32K to the Town of Elkton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$51K to the Town of Elkton for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $456K
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$50K to the Town of Elkton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$42K to the Town of Elkton for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel80 households applied for aid$217K aid approved$29K to the Town of Elkton for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $76K
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$23K to the Town of Elkton for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$67K to the Town of Elkton for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $424K
Cecil 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 Elkton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elkton archive →Get ready for what Elkton 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Elkton
Is Elkton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkton has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #149 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elkton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 100 claims in Elkton since 1978, $3.6M in all, or 15.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (10).
Is Elkton 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 Cecil County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elkton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elkton’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 Elkton?
By FEMA money that reached Elkton, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 80 households applied for aid, $217K approved, and $29K to the Town of Elkton for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 10 paid, $396K.
Is Elkton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Elkton’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elkton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elkton’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.