Photo: Dougtone · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Leonardtown’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 93% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leonardtown gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #193 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Leonardtown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Leonardtown 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
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 Leonardtown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leonardtown, and Leonardtown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A #193 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leonardtown’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, Leonardtown has more expected damage per building than 74% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Leonardtown: $777K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leonardtown flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leonardtown, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel4 claims · $199K
Leonardtown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Mary's County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leonardtown
Disasters that paid out in Leonardtown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Leonardtown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$35K to the Town of Leonardtown for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$15K to the Town of Leonardtown for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel102 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$11K to the Town of Leonardtown for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $199K
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$11K to the Town of Leonardtown for repairs
St. Mary's 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 Leonardtown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leonardtown archive →Get ready for what Leonardtown 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.
- 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 Leonardtown
Is Leonardtown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leonardtown has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #193 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leonardtown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Leonardtown since 1979, $208K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (4).
Is Leonardtown 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 St. Mary's County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leonardtown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leonardtown’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 Leonardtown?
By FEMA money that reached Leonardtown, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 102 households applied for aid, $122K approved, and $11K to the Town of Leonardtown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 4 paid, $199K.
Is Leonardtown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Leonardtown’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leonardtown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leonardtown’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.