FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Maryland City than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maryland City gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #12 of 261 in Maryland State. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2012.
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 Maryland City 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 Maryland City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maryland City, and Maryland City’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).
A+ #12 of 261 in Maryland State; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Maryland City’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Maryland State town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, Maryland City has less expected damage per building than 96% of Maryland State towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Maryland City: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Maryland City flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maryland City, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $1K
Maryland City 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.The storms Maryland City remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Anne Arundel County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Maryland City itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20121 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Sandy, declared for Anne Arundel County
- 20141 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20151 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 Maryland City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maryland City archive →Maryland City and its neighbors
Maryland City is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessup | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fort Meade | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Laurel | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| North Laurel | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Maryland City | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| South Laurel | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Maryland City 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 Maryland City
Is Maryland City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maryland City has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #12 of 261 in Maryland State. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Maryland City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Maryland City since 2012, $15K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Maryland City 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 Maryland City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maryland City’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 Maryland City?
By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Maryland City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Maryland City’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maryland City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maryland City’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.