Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Jefferson than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jefferson gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #105 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Jefferson 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
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 Jefferson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jefferson, and Jefferson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #105 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jefferson’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, Jefferson has less expected damage per building than 60% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $474K a year in losses across Jefferson: $318K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jefferson flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Jefferson. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Jefferson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Frederick County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Jefferson
Disasters that paid out in Jefferson itself (aid to households or repair grants to Jefferson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Frederick County has had 19 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 Jefferson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jefferson archive →Get ready for what Jefferson 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.
- 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 Jefferson
Is Jefferson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jefferson has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #105 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Jefferson 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 Frederick County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jefferson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jefferson’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 Jefferson?
By FEMA money that reached Jefferson, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 3 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Jefferson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Jefferson’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jefferson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jefferson’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.