Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Poolesville than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poolesville 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 (77%), then hurricanes (10%). 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 Poolesville 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 Poolesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Poolesville, and Poolesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A #189 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Poolesville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maryland town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, Poolesville has more expected damage per building than 72% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Poolesville: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Poolesville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Poolesville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Poolesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Poolesville
Disasters that paid out in Poolesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Poolesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$50K to the Town of Poolesville for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$7K to the Town of Poolesville for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$17K to the Town of Poolesville for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$24K to the Town of Poolesville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Poolesville for repairs
Montgomery County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Poolesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Poolesville archive →Get ready for what Poolesville 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 Poolesville
Is Poolesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poolesville 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 (77%) and hurricanes (10%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Poolesville 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 Montgomery County, 51% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Poolesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Poolesville’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 Poolesville?
By FEMA money that reached Poolesville, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $50K to the Town of Poolesville for repairs.
Is Poolesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Poolesville’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Poolesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Poolesville’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.