Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Westminster’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westminster gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #170 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1978.
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 Westminster 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 Westminster’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westminster, and Westminster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #170 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westminster’s residents live in 8 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, Westminster has more expected damage per building than 65% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Westminster: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westminster flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westminster, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $22K
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $3K
Westminster 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westminster
Disasters that paid out in Westminster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westminster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$96K to the City of Westminster for repairs
- 2014Snowstorm$45K to the City of Westminster for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$43K to the City of Westminster for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$39K to the City of Westminster for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$97K to the City of Westminster for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel33 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$27K to the City of Westminster for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $22K
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$39K to the City of Westminster 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 Westminster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westminster archive →Get ready for what Westminster 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 Westminster
Is Westminster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westminster has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #170 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and strong wind (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westminster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Westminster since 1978, $40K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Westminster 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 Westminster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westminster’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 Westminster?
By FEMA money that reached Westminster, Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms (2010): $97K to the City of Westminster for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Westminster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Westminster’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westminster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westminster’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.