Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Emmitsburg, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Emmitsburg gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #55 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). 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 Emmitsburg 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
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 Emmitsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Emmitsburg, and Emmitsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #55 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Emmitsburg’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maryland town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, Emmitsburg has less expected damage per building than 79% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $391K a year in losses across Emmitsburg: $233K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Emmitsburg flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Emmitsburg, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Emmitsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Frederick County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Emmitsburg
Disasters that paid out in Emmitsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Emmitsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Emmitsburg for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$12K to the Town of Emmitsburg for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$16K to the Town of Emmitsburg for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Emmitsburg for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$4K to the Town of Emmitsburg for repairs
Frederick County has had 19 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 Emmitsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Emmitsburg archive →Get ready for what Emmitsburg 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.
- 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 Emmitsburg
Is Emmitsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Emmitsburg has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #55 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (7%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Emmitsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Emmitsburg since 1979, $41K in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Emmitsburg 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 Frederick County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Emmitsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Emmitsburg’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 Emmitsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Emmitsburg, Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms (2010): $16K to the Town of Emmitsburg for repairs.
Is Emmitsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Emmitsburg’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Emmitsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Emmitsburg’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.