25,343 flood insurance claims·$325.4M paid·61,336 policies in force
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Maryland. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Maryland experiences a mixed flood risk profile dominated by frequent flash floods and standard riverine floods, alongside coastal hazards. Over the last 30 years, NOAA records show 1,733 flash flood events resulting in 22 deaths, and 1,444 general flood events resulting in 2 deaths. Additional recorded hazards include 353 coastal flood events, 96 tropical storms causing 3 deaths, 27 storm surge or tide events, and 15 hurricanes.
Federal disaster declarations reflect this mix of severe weather and tropical systems, highlighted by repeated impacts from Tropical Storm Isaias in August 2020, as well as severe storms and flooding in May 2018. These events demonstrate that residents face risks ranging from inland storm inundation to coastal and tropical weather impacts.
National Flood Insurance Program claims data indicates that high-risk Zone A bears the heaviest financial burden, accounting for 13,540 claims and $253 million paid out, with an average of $24,458 per claim. Coastal Zone V properties also face significant costs, averaging $21,977 across 417 claims. At the same time, surprise claims occur outside primary high-risk areas, evidenced by thousands of claims across Zone X categories and unknown zones—including 3,507 claims in Zone X totaling $30 million—showing that property owners outside traditional high-risk zones still experience costly flood damage and utilize insurance.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
Maryland has received 471 federal disaster declarations, including 64 flood and coastal storm declarations and 80 hurricane declarations.
NFIP claims by county, 1978 to date. Source: OpenFEMA. Counties ranked by recorded flood events →
Properties in Maryland FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Maryland had 61,336 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $512 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Maryland residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
See the most flood-prone counties in Maryland →
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