Photo: Cecouchman · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Oakland than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakland gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1978.
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 Oakland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oakland 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
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 Oakland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oakland, and Oakland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oakland’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $335K a year in losses across Oakland: $252K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oakland flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oakland, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oakland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Garrett County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oakland
Disasters that paid out in Oakland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oakland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Town of Oakland for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$87K to the Town of Oakland for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$10K to the Town of Oakland for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Snow$4K to the Town of Oakland for repairs
Garrett County has had 10 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 Oakland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oakland archive →Oakland and its neighbors
Oakland is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Lake Park | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Oakland | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Oakland 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.
- 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 Oakland
Is Oakland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakland has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oakland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Oakland since 1978, $40K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Oakland 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 Garrett County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oakland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oakland’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 Oakland?
By FEMA money that reached Oakland, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $87K to the Town of Oakland for repairs.
Is Oakland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Oakland’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oakland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oakland’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.