Photo: thisisbossi from Washington, DC, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Pasadena than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pasadena gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #19 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2003.
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 Pasadena’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pasadena 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 Pasadena’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pasadena, and Pasadena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #19 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pasadena’s residents live in 10 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, Pasadena has less expected damage per building than 93% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Pasadena: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pasadena flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pasadena, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel3 claims · $85K
Pasadena isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Anne Arundel County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Pasadena
Disasters that paid out in Pasadena itself (aid to households or repair grants to Pasadena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel467 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $85K
Anne Arundel 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 Pasadena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pasadena archive →Pasadena and its neighbors
Pasadena is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera Beach | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Glen Burnie | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Pasadena | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Lake Shore | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 110 |
| Severna Park | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Baltimore | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 763 |
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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena
Is Pasadena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pasadena has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #19 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pasadena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Pasadena since 2003, $99K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (3).
Is Pasadena 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 Anne Arundel County, 2.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Pasadena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pasadena’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 Pasadena?
By FEMA money that reached Pasadena, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 467 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 3 paid, $85K.
Is Pasadena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Pasadena’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pasadena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pasadena’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.