Less hazard damage per building is expected in Mitchellville than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mitchellville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #203 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2003.
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 Mitchellville 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
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 Mitchellville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mitchellville, and Mitchellville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #203 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mitchellville’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, Mitchellville has more expected damage per building than 78% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Mitchellville: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mitchellville flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mitchellville, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $3K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $2K
Mitchellville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Prince George's County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Mitchellville
Disasters that paid out in Mitchellville itself (aid to households or repair grants to Mitchellville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel14 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
Prince George's County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mitchellville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mitchellville archive →Mitchellville and its neighbors
Mitchellville is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Arbor | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Glenn Dale | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Fairwood | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Springdale | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lanham | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Mitchellville | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Woodmore | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Kettering | Aless damage than 88% | 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 Mitchellville 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.
- 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 Mitchellville
Is Mitchellville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mitchellville has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #203 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mitchellville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Mitchellville since 2003, $34K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Mitchellville 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 Prince George's County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Mitchellville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mitchellville’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 Mitchellville?
By FEMA money that reached Mitchellville, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 14 households applied for aid, $9K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Mitchellville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Mitchellville’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mitchellville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mitchellville’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.