FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Willards than in 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willards gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (46%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Willards 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
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 Willards’ grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Willards, and Willards’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 46% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Willards’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $280K a year in losses across Willards: $144K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Willards flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Willards. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Willards isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wicomico County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Willards
Disasters that paid out in Willards itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Willards), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$2K to the Town of Willards for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Wicomico County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Willards after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Willards archive →Get ready for what Willards 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.
- 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 Willards
Is Willards at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willards has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Willards 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 Wicomico County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Willards?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Willards’ 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 Willards?
By FEMA money that reached Willards, Hurricane Irene (2011): $2K to the Town of Willards for repairs.
Is Willards at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Willards’ rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Willards.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Willards’ 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.