On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than West Laurel, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Laurel gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #12 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
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 West Laurel 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
Earthquakes
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 West Laurel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Laurel, and West Laurel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #12 of 261 in Maryland; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Laurel’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maryland town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Laurel has less expected damage per building than 96% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $621K a year in losses across West Laurel: $463K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Laurel flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Laurel, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $3K
West Laurel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Prince George's County.The storms West Laurel remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Prince George's County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Laurel itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20111 flood claims paidThe year of Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Prince George's County
Prince George's 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 West Laurel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Laurel archive →West Laurel and its neighbors
West Laurel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konterra | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Laurel | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| West Laurel | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Burtonsville | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Scaggsville | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 West Laurel 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 West Laurel
Is West Laurel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Laurel has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #12 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Laurel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in West Laurel since 2011, $3K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is West Laurel 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 Prince George's County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in West Laurel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Laurel’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 West Laurel?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $3K.
Is West Laurel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and West Laurel’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Laurel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Laurel’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.