Natural Disasters in South Kensington, MD
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
91.7
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
92.7
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
19.9
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
63.5
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Winter Weather | 99.2 |
| Heat Wave | 97.0 |
| Strong Wind | 96.6 |
| Hail | 94.5 |
| Hurricane | 91.8 |
| Earthquake | 91.8 |
| Lightning | 91.6 |
| Cold Wave | 86.4 |
| Drought | 81.5 |
| Tornado | 78.7 |
| Landslide | 75.1 |
| Ice Storm | 70.4 |
| Wildfire | 25.1 |
| Coastal Flood | 19.6 |
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
21
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Snowstorm
5 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 |
| Aug 27, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| May 6, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORMS |
| Feb 19, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Jul 2, 2006 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 19, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Mar 14, 2003 | Severe Storm | SNOW |
| Apr 10, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jan 11, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 16, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM |
| Aug 28, 1989 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS & HIGH WINDS |
| Oct 4, 1975 | Flood | HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
Showing 20 of 21 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
775
Total Claims Paid
$4,765,802
Avg Claim Payout
$6,149
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$249,202,897
Disasters with PA
5
Total Projects
243
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4491 | Biological | 150 | $238,158,576 |
| DR-4075 | Severe Storm(s) | 39 | $7,381,882 |
| DR-4261 | Snow | 29 | $2,769,657 |
| DR-4091 | Hurricane | 18 | $465,211 |
| DR-3335 | Hurricane | 7 | $427,571 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
12
Federal Funding
$3,282,396
Properties Protected
5
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.83
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 601.1: Generators | 3 | $566,891 |
| 601.2: Generators - Regular | 2 | $383,960 |
| 405.1: Other Minor Flood Control | 1 | $738,750 |
| 203.1: Wet Floodproofing Private Structures - Riverine; 500.2: Flood Control - Berm, Levee, or Dike | 1 | $1,385,623 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $69,000 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
South Kensington has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are winter weather, heat wave, strong wind. The area has had 21 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is snowstorm (5 declarations). 775 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $249,202,897 in public assistance recovery funding. 12 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.