Photo: Christopher Sayan · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts New Carrollton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Carrollton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #207 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2016.
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 New Carrollton 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 New Carrollton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Carrollton, and New Carrollton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #207 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Carrollton’s residents live in 7 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, New Carrollton has more expected damage per building than 79% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across New Carrollton: $801K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Carrollton flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Carrollton, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
New Carrollton 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Carrollton
Disasters that paid out in New Carrollton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Carrollton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the City of New Carrollton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$5K to the City of New Carrollton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$14K to the City of New Carrollton for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel11 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$27K to the City of New Carrollton for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the City of New Carrollton for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$10K to the City of New Carrollton for repairs
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 New Carrollton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Carrollton archive →New Carrollton and its neighbors
New Carrollton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenbelt | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Landover Hills | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Woodlawn | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| East Riverdale | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| New Carrollton | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Seabrook | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 New Carrollton 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 New Carrollton
Is New Carrollton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Carrollton has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #207 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Carrollton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in New Carrollton since 2016, $6K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is New Carrollton 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 New Carrollton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Carrollton’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 New Carrollton?
By FEMA money that reached New Carrollton, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 11 households applied for aid, $13K approved, and $27K to the City of New Carrollton for repairs.
Is New Carrollton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and New Carrollton’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Carrollton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Carrollton’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.