Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Takoma Park faces less hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Takoma Park gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #162 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims 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 Takoma Park 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 Takoma Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Takoma Park, and Takoma Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #162 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Takoma Park’s residents live in 7 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, Takoma Park has more expected damage per building than 62% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Takoma Park: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Takoma Park flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Takoma Park, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Takoma Park 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Takoma Park
Disasters that paid out in Takoma Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Takoma Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$52K to the City of Takoma Park for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$17K to the City of Takoma Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$92K to the City of Takoma Park for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the City of Takoma Park for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel45 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$50K to the City of Takoma Park for repairs
- 2003Snow$20K to the City of Takoma Park for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$15K to the City of Takoma Park 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 Takoma Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Takoma Park archive →Takoma Park and its neighbors
Takoma Park is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 227 |
| Silver Spring | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Takoma Park | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Langley Park | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Chillum | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 114 |
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 Takoma Park 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 Takoma Park
Is Takoma Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Takoma Park has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #162 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Takoma Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Takoma Park since 2018, $19K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Takoma Park 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 Takoma Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Takoma Park’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 Takoma Park?
By FEMA money that reached Takoma Park, Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms (2010): $92K to the City of Takoma Park for repairs.
Is Takoma Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Takoma Park’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Takoma Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Takoma Park’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.