Enter any address in Baltimore County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Baltimore County, with 314 occurrences over the last 30 years. These events can produce significant rainfall, with localized amounts up to six inches observed on July 31, 2025, leading to scattered to numerous instances of flash flooding. Other flood types, including general floods, coastal floods, and tropical storm impacts, have also occurred.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates a substantial number of claims have been filed across various flood zones. Zone A, representing areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, has the highest number of claims at 1804, with an average payout of $23,062 and an average water depth of 2.9 feet. Zone X, which includes areas with a 0.2% annual chance of flooding, also shows significant claims, averaging $10,550 with a notable 3.7 feet of water depth in some instances.
Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and X_SHADED with documented claims and higher average water depths, should pay particular attention to their flood risk. Properties located in areas prone to flash flooding, such as those near waterways or in low-lying terrain, are also at higher risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
106 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Baltimore County, Maryland has recorded 513 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 314 flash floods and 174 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 5 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 Storm And Flooding | Flood | May 27, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Feb 12, 2014 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 6, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2025
A slow moving cold front combined with a highly unstable atmosphere along with tropical moisture to produce slow moving thunderstorms with heavy rainfall. Some of these storms trained over the same areas, resulting in scattered to numerous instances of flash flooding. Total rainfall amounts in areas with flash flooding averaged two to four inches, though some localized amounts up to six inches ...
Flood — May 30, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms developed along a slow moving cold front and produced a quick one to locally three inches of rain in a short period of time.
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2025
A boundary stalled across northeast Maryland and interacted with the Chesapeake Bay breeze to result in a nearly stationary thunderstorm across Baltimore and Harford counties for much of the late afternoon and evening. Localized rainfall amounts of two to six inches were observed, with instances of flash flooding.
Flood — Jun 30, 2025
A boundary stalled across northeast Maryland and interacted with the Chesapeake Bay breeze to result in a nearly stationary thunderstorm across Baltimore and Harford counties for much of the late afternoon and evening. Localized rainfall amounts of two to six inches were observed, with instances of flash flooding.
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.
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 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 Baltimore 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.