Benson-Hammond House · Photo: Pubdog · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ferndale than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ferndale gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #29 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Ferndale 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 Ferndale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ferndale, and Ferndale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #29 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ferndale’s residents live in 3 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, Ferndale has less expected damage per building than 89% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Ferndale: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ferndale flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ferndale, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $14K
Ferndale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Anne Arundel County.The storms Ferndale remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Anne Arundel County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Ferndale itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19794 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Anne Arundel County
- 20143 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20182 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Anne Arundel County has had 19 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 Ferndale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ferndale archive →Ferndale and its neighbors
Ferndale is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linthicum | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Glen Burnie | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Ferndale | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Brooklyn Park | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Ferndale 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 Ferndale
Is Ferndale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ferndale has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #29 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ferndale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Ferndale since 1979, $196K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is Ferndale 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 Anne Arundel County, 2.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ferndale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ferndale’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 Ferndale?
By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $14K.
Is Ferndale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Ferndale’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ferndale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ferndale’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.