Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Taneytown faces less hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taneytown gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #202 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Taneytown 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 Taneytown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Taneytown, and Taneytown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #202 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Taneytown’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, Taneytown has more expected damage per building than 77% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Taneytown: $794K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Taneytown flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Taneytown, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Taneytown 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 Taneytown
Disasters that paid out in Taneytown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Taneytown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$77K to the City of Taneytown for repairs
- 2014Snowstorm$10K to the City of Taneytown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$8K to the City of Taneytown for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$16K to the City of Taneytown for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel9 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2003Snow$5K to the City of Taneytown 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 Taneytown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Taneytown archive →Get ready for what Taneytown 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 Taneytown
Is Taneytown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taneytown has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #202 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and strong wind (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Taneytown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Taneytown since 1979, $116K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Taneytown 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 Taneytown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Taneytown’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 Taneytown?
By FEMA money that reached Taneytown, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $77K to the City of Taneytown for repairs.
Is Taneytown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Taneytown’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Taneytown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Taneytown’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.