Photo: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher · Public domainFor coastal flooding, Pocomoke City’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pocomoke City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #257 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 2011.
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 Pocomoke City 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
Coastal 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 Pocomoke City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pocomoke City, and Pocomoke City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #257 of 261 in Maryland; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pocomoke City’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, Pocomoke City has more expected damage per building than 98% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Pocomoke City: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pocomoke City flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pocomoke City, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy8 claims · $86K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $1K
Pocomoke City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Worcester County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pocomoke City
Disasters that paid out in Pocomoke City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pocomoke City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy4 households applied for aid$12K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $86K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
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 Pocomoke City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pocomoke City archive →Pocomoke City and its neighbors
Pocomoke City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocomoke City | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| West Pocomoke | — | 548 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 Pocomoke 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Pocomoke City
Is Pocomoke City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pocomoke City has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #257 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and hurricanes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pocomoke City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Pocomoke City since 2011, $88K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (8).
Is Pocomoke 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 Pocomoke City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pocomoke City’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 Pocomoke City?
By FEMA money that reached Pocomoke City, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 4 households applied for aid, $12K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 8 paid, $86K.
Is Pocomoke City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Pocomoke City’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pocomoke City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pocomoke 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.