Photo: TwoScarsUp · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, North Potomac faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Potomac gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #155 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1980.
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 North Potomac 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 North Potomac’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Potomac, and North Potomac’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #155 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Potomac’s residents live in 6 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, North Potomac has more expected damage per building than 59% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across North Potomac: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Potomac flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Potomac, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $24K
North Potomac isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Potomac
Disasters that paid out in North Potomac itself (aid to households or repair grants to North Potomac), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Montgomery County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of North Potomac after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Potomac archive →North Potomac and its neighbors
North Potomac is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockville | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Gaithersburg | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Darnestown | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| North Potomac | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Travilah | Aless damage than 93% | 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 North Potomac 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 North Potomac
Is North Potomac at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Potomac has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #155 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Potomac flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in North Potomac since 1980, $48K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is North Potomac 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 Montgomery County, 51% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Potomac?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Potomac’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 Potomac?
By FEMA money that reached North Potomac, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 8 households applied for aid, $6K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $24K.
Is North Potomac at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and North Potomac’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Potomac.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Potomac’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.