Photo: Drew Jacksich from San Jose, CA, The Republic of California · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Jessup than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jessup gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #2 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hurricanes (17%). 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 Jessup 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 Jessup’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jessup, and Jessup’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 99% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 17% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #2 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jessup’s 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, Jessup has less expected damage per building than 100% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Jessup: $751K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jessup flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Jessup. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Jessup isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Anne Arundel County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Jessup
Disasters that paid out in Jessup itself (aid to households or repair grants to Jessup), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Anne Arundel 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 Jessup after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jessup archive →Jessup and its neighbors
Jessup is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savage | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Jessup | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Elkridge | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Fort Meade | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Maryland City | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Columbia | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Severn | A+among the lowest damage | 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 Jessup 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 Jessup
Is Jessup at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jessup has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #2 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Jessup 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 Anne Arundel County, 2.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Jessup?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jessup’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 Jessup?
By FEMA money that reached Jessup, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 7 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Jessup at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Jessup’s rate for it is lower than 99% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jessup.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jessup’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.