Salmon-Stohlman House · Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Somerset than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerset gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Somerset 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 Somerset’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somerset, and Somerset’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Somerset’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $229K a year in losses across Somerset: $194K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somerset flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Somerset, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $3K
Somerset 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Somerset
Disasters that paid out in Somerset itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Somerset), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$4K to the Town of Somerset for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$29K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$1K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$24K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$5K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2003Snow$19K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$7K to the Town of Somerset 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 Somerset after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somerset archive →Somerset and its neighbors
Somerset is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendship Heights Village | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bethesda | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Somerset | 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 Somerset 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 Somerset
Is Somerset at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerset has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) 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.
Does Somerset flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Somerset since 2012, $27K in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Somerset 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 Somerset?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Somerset’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 Somerset?
By FEMA money that reached Somerset, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $48K to the Town of Somerset for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Somerset at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Somerset’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somerset.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somerset’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.