Photo: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Walkersville than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walkersville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #232 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1988.
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 Walkersville 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
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 Walkersville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Walkersville, and Walkersville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #232 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Walkersville’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, Walkersville has more expected damage per building than 89% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Walkersville: $915K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Walkersville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Walkersville, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Walkersville 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Walkersville
Disasters that paid out in Walkersville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Walkersville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$46K to the Town of Walkersville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel16 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Walkersville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$7K to the Town of Walkersville for repairs
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 Walkersville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Walkersville archive →Get ready for what Walkersville 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.
- 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 Walkersville
Is Walkersville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walkersville has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #232 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Walkersville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Walkersville since 1988, $10K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Walkersville 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 Walkersville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Walkersville’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 Walkersville?
By FEMA money that reached Walkersville, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $46K to the Town of Walkersville for repairs.
Is Walkersville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Walkersville’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Walkersville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Walkersville’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.