Linganore Farm · Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Spring Ridge than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Ridge gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #156 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Spring Ridge 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
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.
What’s behind Spring Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spring Ridge, and Spring Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #156 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Spring Ridge’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maryland town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, Spring Ridge has more expected damage per building than 60% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $837K a year in losses across Spring Ridge: $620K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spring Ridge flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spring Ridge, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Spring Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Frederick County.The storms Spring Ridge remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Frederick County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Spring Ridge itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20181 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Frederick County
Frederick County has had 19 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 Spring Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spring Ridge archive →Spring Ridge and its neighbors
Spring Ridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bartonsville | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Linganore | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Spring Ridge | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Spring Ridge 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.
- 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 Spring Ridge
Is Spring Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Ridge has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #156 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Spring Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Spring Ridge since 2018, $13K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Spring Ridge 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 Frederick County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spring Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spring Ridge’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Spring Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Spring Ridge’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spring Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spring Ridge’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.