Frieda Fromm-Reichmann Cottage · Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Rockville, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockville gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #19 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1979.
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 Rockville 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 Rockville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rockville, and Rockville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 15% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #19 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rockville’s residents live in 20 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, Rockville has less expected damage per building than 93% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Rockville: $6.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rockville flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rockville, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $10K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $15K
Rockville 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rockville
Disasters that paid out in Rockville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rockville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$265K to the City of Rockville for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$11K to the City of Rockville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $15K
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$285K to the City of Rockville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$23K to the City of Rockville for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$284K to the City of Rockville for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$160K to the City of Rockville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$216K to the City of Rockville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel47 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$205K to the City of Rockville for repairs
- 2003Snow$59K to the City of Rockville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$69K to the City of Rockville 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 Rockville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rockville archive →Rockville and its neighbors
Rockville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockville | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| North Bethesda | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Redland | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Aspen Hill | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Potomac | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| North Potomac | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Travilah | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Rockville 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 Rockville
Is Rockville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockville has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #19 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rockville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Rockville since 1979, $56K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Rockville 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 Rockville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rockville’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 Rockville?
By FEMA money that reached Rockville, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $285K to the City of Rockville for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Rockville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Rockville’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rockville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rockville’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.