Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Wheaton than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheaton gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #141 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wheaton, and Wheaton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #141 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wheaton’s residents live in 14 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, Wheaton has more expected damage per building than 54% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Wheaton: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wheaton flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wheaton, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $6K
- Hurricane Isaias1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $319
Wheaton 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Wheaton
Disasters that paid out in Wheaton itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wheaton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel4 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
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 Wheaton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wheaton archive →Wheaton and its neighbors
Wheaton is 3rd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Bethesda | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Aspen Hill | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Wheaton | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Colesville | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Forest Glen | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| North Kensington | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Glenmont | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Kemp Mill | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| South Kensington | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton
Is Wheaton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheaton has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #141 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wheaton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Wheaton since 1978, $53K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Wheaton 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 Wheaton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wheaton’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 Wheaton?
By FEMA money that reached Wheaton, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 4 households applied for aid, $10K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Wheaton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Wheaton’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wheaton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wheaton’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.