Twentieth Century Steam Riding Gallery No. 409 · Photo: Richard Whitby · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Maryland than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maryland gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 2006.
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 Maryland 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 Maryland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maryland, and Maryland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Maryland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $996K a year in losses across Maryland: $808K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Maryland flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maryland, from FEMA’s records: 17.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee9 claims · $168K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $12K
Maryland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otsego County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Maryland
Disasters that paid out in Maryland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Maryland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the Town of Maryland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee14 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$47K to the Town of Maryland for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $168K
- 2011Hurricane Irene5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding52 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$530K to the Town of Maryland for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Maryland for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$18K to the Town of Maryland for repairs
Otsego County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Maryland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maryland archive →Maryland and its neighbors
Maryland is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harpersfield | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Maryland | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Davenport | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Milford | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Worcester | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Westford | — | 862 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Maryland 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 Maryland
Is Maryland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maryland has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 Maryland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Maryland since 2006, $279K in all, or 17.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (9).
Is Maryland 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 Otsego County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Maryland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maryland’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 Maryland?
By FEMA money that reached Maryland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 52 households applied for aid, $90K approved, and $530K to the Town of Maryland for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 9 paid, $168K.
Is Maryland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Maryland’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maryland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maryland’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.