Mallows Bay-Widewater Historic and Archeological District · Photo: Amazur · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Indian Head than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indian Head gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #40 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 Indian Head 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
Strong wind
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 Indian Head’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Indian Head, and Indian Head’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #40 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Indian Head’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, Indian Head has less expected damage per building than 85% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $369K a year in losses across Indian Head: $237K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Indian Head flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Indian Head, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Bill1 claim · $6K
Indian Head isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Charles County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Indian Head
Disasters that paid out in Indian Head itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Indian Head), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the Town of Indian Head for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$21K to the Town of Indian Head for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$73K to the Town of Indian Head for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$13K to the Town of Indian Head for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Town of Indian Head for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel10 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$16K to the Town of Indian Head for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Indian Head for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$4K to the Town of Indian Head for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$785 to the Town of Indian Head for repairs
Charles County has had 19 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 Indian Head after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Indian Head archive →Indian Head and its neighbors
Indian Head has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Head | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Potomac Heights | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Indian Head 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Indian Head
Is Indian Head at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indian Head has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #40 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Indian Head flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Indian Head since 2011, $28K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Bill (1).
Is Indian Head 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 Charles County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Indian Head?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Indian Head’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 Indian Head?
By FEMA money that reached Indian Head, Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (2011): $73K to the Town of Indian Head for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Bill: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Indian Head at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Indian Head’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Indian Head.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Indian Head’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.