Captain Robert S. Craig Cottage · Photo: Linda Roy Walls · CC BY-SA 4.0For coastal flooding, Ocean City’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #256 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (35%), then coastal flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 1,022 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 Ocean City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ocean City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
River and rain 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 Ocean City’s grade
Hurricanes are 35% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ocean City, and Ocean City’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 33%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #256 of 261 in Maryland; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ocean City’s residents live in 3 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, Ocean City has more expected damage per building than 98% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Ocean City: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ocean City flood? Yes: 1,022 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ocean City, from FEMA’s records: 34.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy294 claims · $5.3M
- Hurricane Gloria247 claims · $2.8M
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $50K
Ocean City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Worcester County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ocean City
Disasters that paid out in Ocean City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ocean City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$174K to the Town of Ocean City for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$689K to the Town of Ocean City for repairs294 flood claims paid for it, $5.3M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$105K to the Town of Ocean City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$233K to the Town of Ocean City for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $50K
Worcester County has had 9 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 Ocean City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ocean City archive →Get ready for what Ocean City faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ocean City residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ocean City
Is Ocean City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean City has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #256 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (35%) and coastal flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ocean City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,022 claims in Ocean City since 1978, $12.3M in all, or 34.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 37 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (294).
Is Ocean City 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 Worcester County, 23.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ocean City?
Ocean City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Ocean City?
By FEMA money that reached Ocean City, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $689K to the Town of Ocean City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 294 paid, $5.3M.
Is Ocean City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (35%), and Ocean City’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ocean City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ocean City’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.