Enter any address in Calvert County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Calvert County experiences a mix of flood types, with inland flooding from rainfall and coastal flooding due to tidal influences being most frequent. Recent events include widespread rainfall causing creeks and rivers to reach flood stage in December 2023, and significant coastal flooding in January 2024 driven by strong southerly winds along the Chesapeake Bay.
National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A have seen the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $17,534 and an average water depth of 1.8 feet. Properties in Zone X have also experienced claims, with an average payout of $8,192 and a notable average water depth of 8.6 feet, suggesting potential for significant inundation even in areas not designated as high-risk.
Residents with properties located along the coast, near rivers and streams, or in areas designated as Zone A or X should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
20 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Calvert County, Maryland has recorded 71 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 23 flash floods and 28 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 2 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 |
| Tropical Storm Isaias | Hurricane | Aug 3, 2020 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 29, 2021 | — |
| Flood | Aug 20, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 9, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 4, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | 750.00K |
| Flood | Jul 31, 2019 | 0.00K |
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.
Flood — Dec 18, 2023
An area of low pressure moved along the Atlantic seaboard bringing widespread rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 4 inches. This resulted in numerous creeks, streams, and rivers reaching minor to moderate flood stage. Numerous roads were closed in areas as well.
Flood — May 22, 2022
A strong cold front produced multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms resulting in some isolated instances of flooding on May 22nd. There was some slow-response flooding that occurred a couple of days later in southern MD, which was lumped into this event as well.
Coastal Flood — Oct 29, 2021
A strong pressure gradient between low pressure over the Ohio Valley and strong high pressure over Quebec, CA resulted in a strong southeast onshore flow that brought the highest water levels to the Chesapeake Bay region and Tidal Potomac River since Tropical Storm Isabel in September 2003.
Flood — Aug 20, 2021
A weak boundary tapped into plenty of moisture and instability for showers and thunderstorms. Weak winds aloft caused slow moving storms, which led to instance 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 Calvert 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 Calvert 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.