FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Queensland than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Queensland gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2012.
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 Queensland 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 Queensland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Queensland, and Queensland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Queensland’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $345K a year in losses across Queensland: $262K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Queensland flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Queensland, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $1K
Queensland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Prince George's County.The storms Queensland remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Prince George's County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Queensland itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20121 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Sandy, declared for Prince George's County
- 20181 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Prince George's County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Queensland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Queensland archive →Queensland and its neighbors
Queensland is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlboro Meadows | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Melwood | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Queensland | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Westphalia | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Croom | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Brock Hall | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Rosaryville | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Upper Marlboro | — | 683 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 Queensland 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 Queensland
Is Queensland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Queensland has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Queensland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Queensland since 2012, $3K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Queensland 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 Prince George's County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Queensland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Queensland’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 Queensland?
By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Queensland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Queensland’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Queensland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Queensland’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.