Enter any address in Allegany County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is a significant concern in Allegany County, MD. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 61 recorded flash flood events and 48 flood events. For example, in May 2025, slow-moving storms brought intense rainfall, with localized totals of four to eight inches in western Maryland, leading to flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims (194) with an average payout of $13,895 and an average water depth of 0.9 feet. However, properties in Zone X (unshaded) have seen a notably higher average payout of $48,026, despite a lower average water depth of 0.4 feet, suggesting potential for significant damage even with less visible inundation.
Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X where higher payouts have been observed, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties with higher average water depths in UNKNOWN zones and Zone X_UNSHADED also warrant careful consideration.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
50 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Allegany County, Maryland has recorded 109 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 61 flash floods and 48 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
| Snow | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 15, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 7, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 6, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 23, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 14, 2025
A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area. A long duration period of rain ensued, with rain rates exceeding two inches an hour during the afternoon of May 13th. The slow moving storms coupled with training led to localized rainfall totals of four to eight inches across western Maryland, with lesser amounts of two to four i...
Flash Flood — May 13, 2025
A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area. A long duration period of rain ensued, with rain rates exceeding two inches an hour during the afternoon of May 13th. The slow moving storms coupled with training led to localized rainfall totals of four to eight inches across western Maryland, with lesser amounts of two to four i...
Flash Flood — Aug 29, 2024
Heavy rainfall along a stalled boundary led to instances of flash flooding.
Flood — Aug 9, 2024
The remnants of Debby tracked through the area Thursday night into Friday, August 8th into August 9th. Tropical moisture combined with lift from the remnants to cause heavy rain across much of Virginia. The heavy rain led to several instances of flash flooding and flooding.
Flood — Jul 15, 2023
A slow moving frontal boundary interacted with a seasonably moist airmass resulting in multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms that resulted in one to three inches of rain.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Allegany County, Maryland:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Allegany County, Maryland that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.