FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Fruitland than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fruitland gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #241 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (53%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2013.
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 Fruitland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Fruitland’s grade
Hurricanes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fruitland, and Fruitland’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #241 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fruitland’s residents live in 2 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, Fruitland has more expected damage per building than 92% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Fruitland: $807K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fruitland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fruitland, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fruitland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wicomico County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fruitland
Disasters that paid out in Fruitland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fruitland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$11K to the City of Fruitland for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$18K to the City of Fruitland for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$10K to the City of Fruitland for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Wicomico County has had 9 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 Fruitland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fruitland archive →Fruitland and its neighbors
Fruitland is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | A−less damage than 83% | hurricanes | 69 |
| Fruitland | A−less damage than 81% | hurricanes | 1 |
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 Fruitland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Fruitland
Is Fruitland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fruitland has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #241 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (53%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fruitland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Fruitland since 2013, $4K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fruitland 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 Wicomico County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fruitland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fruitland’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 Fruitland?
By FEMA money that reached Fruitland, Hurricane Irene (2011): $18K to the City of Fruitland for repairs.
Is Fruitland at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Fruitland’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fruitland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fruitland’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.