Photo: PeteU at English Wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Prince Frederick, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prince Frederick gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #62 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then hurricanes (39%). 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 stands out about Prince Frederick’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Prince Frederick 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 Prince Frederick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prince Frederick, and Prince Frederick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 39% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #62 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Prince Frederick’s residents live in 3 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, Prince Frederick has less expected damage per building than 77% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $633K a year in losses across Prince Frederick: $455K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prince Frederick flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Prince Frederick. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Prince Frederick 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 Prince Frederick
Disasters that paid out in Prince Frederick itself (aid to households or repair grants to Prince Frederick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel42 households applied for aid$70K 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 Prince Frederick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prince Frederick archive →Get ready for what Prince Frederick 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 Prince Frederick
Is Prince Frederick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prince Frederick has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #62 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and hurricanes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Prince Frederick 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 Prince Frederick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Prince Frederick’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 Prince Frederick?
By FEMA money that reached Prince Frederick, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 42 households applied for aid, $70K approved.
Is Prince Frederick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Prince Frederick’s rate for it is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prince Frederick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prince Frederick’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.