Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in La Vale as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Vale gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #254 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1996.
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 La Vale 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
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 La Vale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Vale, and La Vale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
B #254 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Vale’s residents live in 3 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, La Vale has more expected damage per building than 97% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across La Vale: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Vale flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Vale, from FEMA’s records: 15.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran4 claims · $15K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $14K
La Vale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegany County.The storms La Vale remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Allegany County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching La Vale itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199613 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding Assoc with Tropical Storm Fran, declared for Allegany County
- 20256 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20045 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Allegany County has had 13 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 La Vale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Vale archive →Get ready for what La Vale 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.
- 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 La Vale
Is La Vale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Vale has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #254 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Vale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in La Vale since 1996, $330K in all, or 15.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (4).
Is La Vale 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 Allegany County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in La Vale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Vale’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 Vale?
By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 4 paid, $15K.
Is La Vale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and La Vale’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Vale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Vale’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.