Enter any address in Baltimore city, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding experienced in Baltimore County, with 56 such events recorded in the last 30 years. These can occur rapidly, as seen with localized rainfall of 2 to 4 inches in a short period, leading to instances of flooding and flash flooding. For example, a flash flood event on July 14th, 2025, resulted from heavy showers and thunderstorms.
Coastal flooding also presents a risk, driven by strong winds associated with low-pressure systems and tropical storms. Events on January 9th, 2024, and August 9th, 2024, illustrate how these conditions can raise water levels along the Chesapeake Bay. Over the past 30 years, there have been 18 recorded coastal flood events.
Homeowners in Zone A, which has seen the highest number of flood insurance claims with an average payout of $40,227 and water depths of 5.1 feet, should be particularly aware of their flood risk. Properties located in coastal areas or those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) should also pay close attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Baltimore city, Maryland has recorded 94 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 56 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 22 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 (1971–2026)
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 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Apr 30, 2020 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 25, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Nov 15, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2025
Another day of an anomalously moist airmass produced numerous showers and thunderstorms across Maryland. This resulted in localized rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches in a short period of time, which resulted in instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Coastal Flood — Jan 9, 2024
A strong area of low pressure tracked from the mid MS River Valley on Jan 9th to the Northeast U.S. Jan 10th. A very strong pressure gradient ahead of the low pressure center resulted in a long period of strong southerly winds gusting up to 55 mph that raised water levels to major levels at several locations along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
Coastal Flood — Aug 9, 2024
Persistent SE flow on the east side of slow moving Tropical Storm Debby resulted in moderate coastal flooding at several locations along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
Flash Flood — Jun 27, 2023
A cold front triggered showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms trained over the same areas, resulting in isolated instances of flooding and flash flooding around Baltimore.
Flash Flood — Sep 12, 2023
A slow moving cold front moved into the area during the evening of the 12th into the overnight and early morning hours of the 13th. Moisture pooling ahead of the cold front caused instability to increase in addition to added atmospheric moisture. Showers and thunderstorms developed, and some trained over the same areas resulting in instances of flooding and flash flooding. Central and northeast...
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 Baltimore city, 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 Baltimore city, 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.