Photo: Melissa Clark · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Grasonville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grasonville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #244 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (51%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 237 claims here since 1979.
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 Grasonville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Grasonville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 Grasonville’s grade
Coastal flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grasonville, and Grasonville’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 28% (lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #244 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Grasonville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maryland town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, Grasonville has more expected damage per building than 93% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Grasonville: $700K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grasonville flood? Yes: 237 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grasonville, from FEMA’s records: 150.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel200 claims · $4.8M
- Hurricane Fran6 claims · $238K
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $70K
Grasonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Queen Anne's County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Grasonville
Disasters that paid out in Grasonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to Grasonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel277 households applied for aid$643K aid approved200 flood claims paid for it, $4.8M
Queen Anne's 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 Grasonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grasonville archive →Grasonville and its neighbors
Grasonville 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grasonville | A−less damage than 77% | coastal flooding | 237 |
| Kent Narrows | — | 507 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 Grasonville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Grasonville
Is Grasonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grasonville has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #244 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (51%) and river and rain flooding (28%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grasonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 237 claims in Grasonville since 1979, $5.9M in all, or 150.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (200).
Is Grasonville 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 Queen Anne's County, 7.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Grasonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grasonville’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 Grasonville?
By FEMA money that reached Grasonville, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 277 households applied for aid, $643K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 200 paid, $4.8M.
Is Grasonville at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Grasonville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grasonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grasonville’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.