Photo: Fuzheado · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in North Beach than in 93% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Beach gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 85 claims here since 1983.
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 North Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Beach 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
Coastal flooding
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 North Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Beach, and North Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Beach’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $291K a year in losses across North Beach: $199K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Beach flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Beach, from FEMA’s records: 83.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel43 claims · $2.4M
- Hurricane Fran18 claims · $107K
- Hurricane Gloria1 claim · $800
North Beach isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calvert County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Beach
Disasters that paid out in North Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Town of North Beach for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$7K to the Town of North Beach for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$6K to the Town of North Beach for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$16K to the Town of North Beach for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel98 households applied for aid$277K aid approved$109K to the Town of North Beach for repairs43 flood claims paid for it, $2.4M
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of North Beach for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$3K to the Town of North Beach for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$16K to the Town of North Beach for repairs
Calvert 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 North Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Beach archive →North Beach and its neighbors
North Beach has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Beach | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Chesapeake Beach | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
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 North Beach 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 North Beach
Is North Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Beach has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and hurricanes (28%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in North Beach since 1983, $2.7M in all, or 83.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (43).
Is North Beach 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 Calvert County, 63% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Beach’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 North Beach?
By FEMA money that reached North Beach, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 98 households applied for aid, $277K approved, and $109K to the Town of North Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 43 paid, $2.4M.
Is North Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and North Beach’s rate for it is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Beach’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.