Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Federalsburg than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Federalsburg gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #252 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (52%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Federalsburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Federalsburg faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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 Federalsburg’s grade
Hurricanes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Federalsburg, and Federalsburg’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts).
B #252 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Federalsburg’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, Federalsburg has more expected damage per building than 97% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $961K a year in losses across Federalsburg: $591K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Federalsburg flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Federalsburg, from FEMA’s records: 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Federalsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Caroline County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Federalsburg
Disasters that paid out in Federalsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Federalsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$10K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$17K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$13K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$92K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2003Hurricane Isabel7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$5K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$5K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$11K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs
Caroline 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 Federalsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Federalsburg archive →Get ready for what Federalsburg faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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 Federalsburg
Is Federalsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Federalsburg has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #252 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (52%) and river and rain flooding (38%). 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 Federalsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Federalsburg since 1979, $177K in all, or 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Federalsburg 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 Caroline County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Federalsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Federalsburg’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 Federalsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Federalsburg, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2006): $92K to the Town of Federalsburg for repairs.
Is Federalsburg at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Federalsburg’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Federalsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Federalsburg’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.