Enter any address in Carroll County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character of Carroll County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 69 flash flood events and 80 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 9, 2025, when storm total rainfall of one and a half to four inches resulted from thunderstorms with instantaneous rain rates approaching five to six inches per hour. Similar conditions occurred on July 31, 2025, with localized rainfall up to six inches causing scattered to numerous instances of flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $10,633 and an average water depth of 2.5 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $7,316 and an average water depth of 22.4 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood zone designations, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
49 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Carroll County, Maryland has recorded 150 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 69 flash floods and 80 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Feb 12, 2014 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 7, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 23, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 13, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 10, 2021 | 5.00K |
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 ...
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2025
An anomalously moist airmass ahead of a frontal boundary sparked numerous showers and thunderstorms across Maryland. Instantaneous rain rates approached five to six inches an hour in the bigger storms. Storm total rainfall of one and a half to four inches resulted in flooding and flash flooding in areas throughout the evening of July 9th.
Flood — Jan 9, 2024
An area of low pressure tracked through the Ohio River Valley and up through the Great Lakes Region. A strong low level jet enhanced moisture flow into the low pressure system leading to an extended period of moderate rain that caused widespread minor flooding with isolated moderate flooding.
Flash 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 — 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.
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 Carroll 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 Carroll 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.