Photo: Roberto221 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hillcrest Heights than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillcrest Heights gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #102 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
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 Hillcrest Heights 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
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 Hillcrest Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hillcrest Heights, and Hillcrest Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #102 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hillcrest Heights’ residents live in 4 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, Hillcrest Heights has less expected damage per building than 61% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Hillcrest Heights: $895K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hillcrest Heights flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hillcrest Heights, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $6K
Hillcrest Heights isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Prince George's County.The storms Hillcrest Heights remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Prince George's County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Hillcrest Heights itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20081 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20111 flood claims paidThe year of Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Prince George's County
Prince George's County has had 15 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 Hillcrest Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hillcrest Heights archive →Hillcrest Heights and its neighbors
Hillcrest Heights is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlow Heights | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Glassmanor | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Hillcrest Heights | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Suitland | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Hillcrest Heights 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.
- 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 Hillcrest Heights
Is Hillcrest Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillcrest Heights has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #102 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hillcrest Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hillcrest Heights since 2008, $10K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Hillcrest Heights 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 Prince George's County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hillcrest Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hillcrest Heights’ 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 Hillcrest Heights?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Hillcrest Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Hillcrest Heights’ rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hillcrest Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hillcrest Heights’ 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.