Natural Disasters in Charlestown, MD
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
58.6
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
65.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
21.9
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
60.9
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Drought | 92.8 |
| Winter Weather | 87.1 |
| Strong Wind | 85.3 |
| Hurricane | 78.3 |
| Heat Wave | 78.3 |
| Earthquake | 70.7 |
| Ice Storm | 66.4 |
| Lightning | 60.9 |
| Landslide | 57.8 |
| Coastal Flood | 56.6 |
| Cold Wave | 52.7 |
| Tornado | 48.6 |
| Hail | 32.2 |
| Wildfire | 25.3 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
21
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
7 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Mar 26, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Mar 4, 2016 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Nov 20, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Oct 28, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Oct 5, 2011 | Flood | REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE |
| Sep 16, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| Aug 27, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| May 6, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORMS |
| Feb 19, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 19, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Mar 14, 2003 | Severe Storm | SNOW |
| Sep 24, 1999 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLOYD MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATIONS |
| Jan 23, 1996 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jan 11, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 16, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM |
| Jan 26, 1977 | Snowstorm | ICE CONDITIONS |
| Oct 4, 1975 | Flood | HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING |
Showing 20 of 21 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
702
Total Claims Paid
$14,337,427
Avg Claim Payout
$20,424
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$1,214,838
Disasters with PA
5
Total Projects
116
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4261 | Snow | 16 | $361,891 |
| DR-1303 | Hurricane | 54 | $289,577 |
| DR-4034 | Hurricane | 28 | $248,206 |
| DR-4491 | Biological | 4 | $186,068 |
| DR-4091 | Hurricane | 14 | $129,095 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
12
Federal Funding
$1,992,885
Properties Protected
19
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.30
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 4 | $893,324 |
| 95.1: FMA or CRS Plan | 1 | $28,200 |
| 800.1: Miscellaneous | 1 | $625,723 |
| 91.5: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $30,000 |
| 202.1: Elevation of Private Structures - Riverine | 1 | $96,300 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Charlestown has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are drought, winter weather, strong wind. The area has had 21 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (7 declarations). 702 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $1,214,838 in public assistance recovery funding. 12 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.