Fort Washington · Photo: Dfowlerdc · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Fort Washington than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Washington gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #198 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 45 claims here since 1980.
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 Fort Washington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fort Washington 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 Fort Washington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Washington, and Fort Washington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #198 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Washington’s residents live in 8 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, Fort Washington has more expected damage per building than 76% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Fort Washington: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Washington flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Washington, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $13K
- Hurricane Isabel2 claims · $140K
- Tropical Storm Bill1 claim · $6K
Fort Washington 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Fort Washington
Disasters that paid out in Fort Washington itself (aid to households or repair grants to Fort Washington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel338 households applied for aid$379K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $140K
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 Fort Washington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Washington archive →Fort Washington and its neighbors
Fort Washington is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Harbor | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Oxon Hill | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Clinton | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Friendly | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Accokeek | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Fort Washington | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
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 Fort Washington 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 Fort Washington
Is Fort Washington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Washington has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #198 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Washington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in Fort Washington since 1980, $1.3M in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Fort Washington 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 Fort Washington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Washington’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 Fort Washington?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Washington, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 338 households applied for aid, $379K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $13K.
Is Fort Washington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Fort Washington’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Washington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Washington’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.