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La Plata, Maryland (8146322119)Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0
A+Hazard risk
Natural hazards in La Plata · FEMA

FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in La Plata than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Plata gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #19 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2008.

River and rain flooding 63%Hurricanes 16%Earthquakes 8%

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

among the lowestof U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#19 of 261 in Maryland
Hazard risk
A+#19 of 261
in Maryland · among the lowest of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
63% of expected building damage
Flood claims
5
paid since 2008 · $68K
Disasters paid out here
11
of 19 declared for Charles County

What stands out about La Plata’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Among the lowest expected damage of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.Made safer with FEMA grants1 storm safe room built; 1 flood-prone property bought out and cleared with FEMA grants.
By hazard

What La Plata 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

63%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Hurricanes

16%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 11 years in the area

Earthquakes

8%of expected building damage
About average · higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts

Strong wind

5%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 6 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Hail Ice storms Cold waves Lightning Winter storms Wildfire Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts heat waves at 10% of La Plata’s expected losses. Heat waves do little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind La Plata’s grade

River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Plata, and La Plata’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).

Where La Plata sits
La Plata
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A+ #19 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).

La Plata’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding63%Hurricanes16%Earthquakes8%Everything else13%

The typical Maryland town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, La Plata has less expected damage per building than 93% of Maryland towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across La Plata: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. La Plata covers 3 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does La Plata flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2008

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Plata, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
2008: 1 claim2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 1 claim2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 2 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 1 claim2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims200820112018
20082026
5
paid claims since 2008
$68K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$14K
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

La Plata 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.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
1storm safe room built
1flood-prone property bought out and cleared
Disasters

11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Plata

Disasters that paid out in La Plata itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of La Plata), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$68K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
  2. 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$12K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
  3. 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$71K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
  4. 2011Hurricane Irene$9K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
  5. 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$50K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
  6. 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
Show all 11
  1. 2003Hurricane Isabel14 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$19K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
  2. 2003Snow$7K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
  3. 2002Tornado$78K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
  4. 2000Severe Winter Storm$3K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
  5. 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$4K to the Town of La Plata for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in La PlataCharles County only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of La Plata after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the La Plata archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what La Plata faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
High winds
  • Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
  • Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
  • Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in La Plata

Is La Plata at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Plata has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #19 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does La Plata flood?

Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in La Plata since 2008, $68K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Is La Plata 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 La Plata?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Plata’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 La Plata?

By FEMA money that reached La Plata, Tornado (2002): $78K to the Town of La Plata for repairs.

Is La Plata at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and La Plata’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Plata.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Plata’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.