Natural Disasters in Potomac Heights, MD
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
44.1
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
64.4
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
10.6
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
88.3
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Heat Wave | 78.8 |
| Hurricane | 78.0 |
| Strong Wind | 77.3 |
| Lightning | 74.0 |
| Drought | 72.4 |
| Winter Weather | 71.0 |
| Earthquake | 68.3 |
| Landslide | 61.3 |
| Coastal Flood | 52.4 |
| Hail | 43.3 |
| Ice Storm | 39.4 |
| Tornado | 29.2 |
| Wildfire | 19.2 |
| Cold Wave | 17.6 |
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
24
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Snowstorm
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 |
| Aug 2, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| 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 |
| May 1, 2002 | Tornado | TORNADO |
| Apr 10, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 24, 1999 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLOYD MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATIONS |
| Jan 11, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 16, 1994 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER WEATHER AND ICE STORMS |
Showing 20 of 24 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
361
Total Claims Paid
$6,532,782
Avg Claim Payout
$18,096
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$11,328,818
Disasters with PA
9
Total Projects
87
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4034 | Hurricane | 32 | $6,073,814 |
| DR-4075 | Severe Storm(s) | 17 | $1,667,816 |
| DR-4261 | Snow | 11 | $1,282,907 |
| DR-1303 | Hurricane | 14 | $1,018,473 |
| DR-4583 | Hurricane | 2 | $797,338 |
| DR-4491 | Biological | 4 | $311,832 |
| DR-4091 | Hurricane | 4 | $121,981 |
| DR-4038 | Flood | 2 | $52,215 |
| DR-1910 | Snow | 1 | $2,442 |
Potomac Heights has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are heat wave, hurricane, strong wind. The area has had 24 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is snowstorm (7 declarations). 361 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $11,328,818 in public assistance recovery funding.