Oxon Cove Park · Photo: Pubdog · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Forest Heights faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Heights gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #255 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2012.
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 Forest Heights 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 Forest Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest Heights, and Forest Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #255 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest Heights’ 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, Forest Heights has more expected damage per building than 98% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $534K a year in losses across Forest Heights: $427K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest Heights flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest Heights, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Forest Heights isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Prince George's County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest Heights
Disasters that paid out in Forest Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Forest Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the Town of Forest Heights for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$23K to the Town of Forest Heights for repairs
- 2003Snow$2K to the Town of Forest Heights for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$2K to the Town of Forest Heights for repairs
Prince George's County has had 15 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 Forest Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest Heights archive →Forest Heights and its neighbors
Forest Heights is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glassmanor | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| National Harbor | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Oxon Hill | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Forest Heights | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Forest Heights 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 Forest Heights
Is Forest Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Heights has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #255 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forest Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Forest Heights since 2012, $107K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Forest Heights 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 Prince George's County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Forest Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest Heights’ 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 Forest Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Forest Heights, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $25K to the Town of Forest Heights for repairs.
Is Forest Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Forest Heights’ rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest Heights’ 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.