Photo: Scott Saghirian · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ellicott City than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellicott City gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #51 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 212 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 Ellicott City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ellicott City 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
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 Ellicott City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ellicott City, and Ellicott City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #51 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ellicott City’s residents live in 14 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, Ellicott City has less expected damage per building than 81% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.7M a year in losses across Ellicott City: $7.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ellicott City flood? Yes: 212 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellicott City, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $25K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $1K
Ellicott City 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 Ellicott City
Disasters that paid out in Ellicott City itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ellicott City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel28 households applied for aid$23K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
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 Ellicott City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ellicott City archive →Ellicott City and its neighbors
Ellicott City is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Catonsville | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Ilchester | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ellicott City | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 212 |
| Woodlawn | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
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 Ellicott City 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.
- 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 Ellicott City
Is Ellicott City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellicott City has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #51 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ellicott City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 212 claims in Ellicott City since 1978, $15.2M in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Ellicott City 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 Ellicott City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ellicott City’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 Ellicott City?
By FEMA money that reached Ellicott City, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 28 households applied for aid, $23K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $25K.
Is Ellicott City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Ellicott City’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellicott City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellicott City’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.