Photo: Pubdog at en.wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Perryville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perryville gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #87 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Perryville 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
Tornadoes
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 Perryville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Perryville, and Perryville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #87 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Perryville’s 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, Perryville has less expected damage per building than 67% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $862K a year in losses across Perryville: $562K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Perryville flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Perryville, from FEMA’s records: 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel6 claims · $249K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $6K
Perryville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cecil County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Perryville
Disasters that paid out in Perryville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Perryville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the Town of Perryville for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$32K to the Town of Perryville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$14K to the Town of Perryville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$22K to the Town of Perryville for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$10K to the Town of Perryville for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Perryville for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Hurricane Isabel52 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$90K to the Town of Perryville for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $249K
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Perryville for repairs
Cecil County has had 16 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 Perryville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Perryville archive →Get ready for what Perryville 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Perryville
Is Perryville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perryville has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #87 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Perryville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Perryville since 1978, $272K in all, or 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (6).
Is Perryville 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 Cecil County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Perryville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Perryville’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 Perryville?
By FEMA money that reached Perryville, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 52 households applied for aid, $105K approved, and $90K to the Town of Perryville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 6 paid, $249K.
Is Perryville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Perryville’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Perryville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Perryville’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.