Photo: Public domain · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Stevensville than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stevensville gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #139 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 88 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 stands out about Stevensville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Stevensville 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.
What’s behind Stevensville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stevensville, and Stevensville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #139 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stevensville’s residents live in 2 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, Stevensville has more expected damage per building than 53% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Stevensville: $944K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stevensville flood? Sometimes: 88 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stevensville, from FEMA’s records: 25.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel33 claims · $815K
- Hurricane Isaias12 claims · $243K
- Hurricane Floyd9 claims · $29K
Stevensville 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Stevensville
Disasters that paid out in Stevensville itself (aid to households or repair grants to Stevensville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel178 households applied for aid$252K aid approved33 flood claims paid for it, $815K
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 Stevensville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stevensville archive →Stevensville and its neighbors
Stevensville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stevensville | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Chester | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Stevensville 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 Stevensville
Is Stevensville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stevensville has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #139 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stevensville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 88 claims in Stevensville since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 25.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (33).
Is Stevensville 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 Stevensville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stevensville’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 Stevensville?
By FEMA money that reached Stevensville, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 178 households applied for aid, $252K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 33 paid, $815K.
Is Stevensville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Stevensville’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stevensville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stevensville’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.