Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Frostburg, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frostburg gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #16 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1996.
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 Frostburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Frostburg 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 Frostburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Frostburg, and Frostburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #16 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Frostburg’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, Frostburg has less expected damage per building than 94% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $876K a year in losses across Frostburg: $701K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Frostburg flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Frostburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Frostburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegany County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Frostburg
Disasters that paid out in Frostburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Frostburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$32K to the City of Frostburg for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$25K to the City of Frostburg for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$17K to the City of Frostburg for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the City of Frostburg for repairs
Allegany County has had 13 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 Frostburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Frostburg archive →Frostburg and its neighbors
Frostburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frostburg | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Grahamtown | — | 537 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Eckhart Mines | — | 670 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Zihlman | — | 306 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Frostburg 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 Frostburg
Is Frostburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frostburg has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #16 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Frostburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Frostburg since 1996, $250 in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Frostburg 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 Allegany County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Frostburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Frostburg’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 Frostburg?
By FEMA money that reached Frostburg, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $32K to the City of Frostburg for repairs.
Is Frostburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Frostburg’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Frostburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Frostburg’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.