Maidstone · Photo: Karlwhittington · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Owings than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owings gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #189 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (29%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Owings 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 Owings’ grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Owings, and Owings’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 29% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A #189 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Owings’ residents live in 2 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, Owings has more expected damage per building than 72% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $428K a year in losses across Owings: $318K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Owings flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Owings. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Owings 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Owings
Disasters that paid out in Owings itself (aid to households or repair grants to Owings), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel13 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Owings after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Owings archive →Owings and its neighbors
Owings has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owings | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Friendship | — | 278 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Owings 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 Owings
Is Owings at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owings has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #189 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Owings 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 Owings?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Owings’ 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 Owings?
By FEMA money that reached Owings, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 13 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Owings at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Owings’ rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Owings.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Owings’ 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.