Photo: National Scenic Byways Online · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Queenstown
Queenstown isn’t graded for hazard risk: Queenstown has 907 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2003.
What Queenstown 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
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.
Does Queenstown flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Queenstown, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Isabel4 claims · $75K
Queenstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Queen Anne's County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Queenstown
Disasters that paid out in Queenstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Queenstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$2K to the Town of Queenstown for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$3K to the Town of Queenstown for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$3K to the Town of Queenstown for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Town of Queenstown for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel19 households applied for aid$59K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $75K
- 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Queenstown for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$11K to the Town of Queenstown for repairs
Queen Anne's County has had 13 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 Queenstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Queenstown archive →Get ready for what Queenstown 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.
- 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 Queenstown
Does Queenstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Queenstown since 2003, $88K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (4).
Is Queenstown 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 Queen Anne's County, 7.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Queenstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Queenstown’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 Queenstown?
By FEMA money that reached Queenstown, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 19 households applied for aid, $59K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 4 paid, $75K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Queenstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Queenstown’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.