Photo: Charlotte Jackson · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hagerstown than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hagerstown gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #170 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 Hagerstown 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Hagerstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hagerstown, and Hagerstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A #170 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hagerstown’s residents live in 18 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, Hagerstown has more expected damage per building than 65% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Hagerstown: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hagerstown flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hagerstown, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hagerstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hagerstown
Disasters that paid out in Hagerstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hagerstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel31 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
Washington 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 Hagerstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hagerstown archive →Hagerstown and its neighbors
Hagerstown is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halfway | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fountainhead-Orchard Hills | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Hagerstown | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Robinwood | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Paramount-Long Meadow | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Funkstown | — | not graded yet | |
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 Hagerstown 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Hagerstown
Is Hagerstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hagerstown has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #170 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hagerstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Hagerstown since 1979, $234K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Hagerstown 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 Washington County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hagerstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hagerstown’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 Hagerstown?
By FEMA money that reached Hagerstown, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 31 households applied for aid, $32K approved.
Is Hagerstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Hagerstown’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hagerstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hagerstown’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.