Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Sykesville than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sykesville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #240 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Sykesville 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
Strong wind
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 Sykesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sykesville, and Sykesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #240 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sykesville’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, Sykesville has more expected damage per building than 92% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $782K a year in losses across Sykesville: $599K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sykesville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sykesville, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $8K
Sykesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carroll County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sykesville
Disasters that paid out in Sykesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sykesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of Sykesville for repairs
- 2014Snowstorm$12K to the Town of Sykesville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$7K to the Town of Sykesville for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$31K to the Town of Sykesville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel19 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$7K to the Town of Sykesville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Sykesville for repairs
Carroll County has had 15 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 Sykesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sykesville archive →Sykesville and its neighbors
Sykesville is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eldersburg | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sykesville | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Sykesville 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Sykesville
Is Sykesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sykesville has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #240 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and strong wind (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sykesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sykesville since 2003, $12K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Sykesville 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 Carroll County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sykesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sykesville’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 Sykesville?
By FEMA money that reached Sykesville, Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms (2010): $31K to the Town of Sykesville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Sykesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Sykesville’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sykesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sykesville’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.