FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in South Kensington than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Kensington gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #228 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2003.
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 South Kensington 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
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 South Kensington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Kensington, and South Kensington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A #228 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Kensington’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, South Kensington has more expected damage per building than 87% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across South Kensington: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Kensington flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Kensington, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $6K
South Kensington 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.The storms South Kensington remembers
None of the 17 disasters declared for Montgomery County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Kensington itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20062 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Montgomery County
- 20142 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20202 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 South Kensington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Kensington archive →South Kensington and its neighbors
South Kensington is 9th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Bethesda | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Kensington | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bethesda | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Chevy Chase | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Wheaton | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Silver Spring | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Forest Glen | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| North Kensington | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| South Kensington | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Chevy Chase View | — | not graded yet | |
| Garrett Park | — | 932 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 South Kensington 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.
- 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 South Kensington
Is South Kensington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Kensington has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #228 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Kensington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in South Kensington since 2003, $70K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is South Kensington 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 South Kensington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Kensington’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 South Kensington?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is South Kensington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and South Kensington’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Kensington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Kensington’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.