Photo: Devin Morris · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in National Harbor than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, National Harbor gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #118 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 National Harbor 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 National Harbor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in National Harbor, and National Harbor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #118 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
National Harbor’s residents live in 2 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, National Harbor has less expected damage per building than 55% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $764K a year in losses across National Harbor: $555K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does National Harbor flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in National Harbor, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
National Harbor 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.The storms National Harbor remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Prince George's County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching National Harbor itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19791 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19801 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20141 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 National Harbor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the National Harbor archive →National Harbor and its neighbors
National Harbor has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Harbor | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Oxon Hill | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Fort Washington | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Forest Heights | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 National Harbor 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 National Harbor
Is National Harbor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, National Harbor has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #118 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does National Harbor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in National Harbor since 1979, $43K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is National Harbor 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 National Harbor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for National Harbor’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is National Harbor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and National Harbor’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in National Harbor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where National Harbor’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.