Photo: Matthew Binebrink · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Frederick’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frederick gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #167 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1978.
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 Frederick’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Frederick 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
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 Frederick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Frederick, and Frederick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A #167 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Frederick’s residents live in 24 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, Frederick has more expected damage per building than 64% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.3M a year in losses across Frederick: $9.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Frederick flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Frederick, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $1K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $1K
Frederick is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Frederick County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Frederick
Disasters that paid out in Frederick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Frederick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$2.1M to the City of Frederick for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$160K to the City of Frederick for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$270K to the City of Frederick for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$137K to the City of Frederick for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel61 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$73K to the City of Frederick for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2003Snow$102K to the City of Frederick for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$45K to the City of Frederick for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Frederick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Frederick archive →Frederick and its neighbors
Frederick is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballenger Creek | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Linganore | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Frederick | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
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 Frederick 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.
- 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.
- Frederick residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Frederick
Is Frederick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frederick has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #167 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Frederick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Frederick since 1978, $324K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Frederick 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 Frederick?
Frederick is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Frederick?
By FEMA money that reached Frederick, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): $2.1M to the City of Frederick for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Frederick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Frederick’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Frederick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Frederick’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.