Enter any address in Dorchester County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding is the dominant flood character in Dorchester County, MD. Between 2025 and 2055, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 52 coastal flood events, alongside 24 flash flood events and fewer tropical storms and hurricanes. Recent coastal flooding occurred in October 2025, driven by strong northeast winds and tidal anomalies, leading to widespread moderate flooding. Another coastal flood event in October 2025 resulted from onshore flow and increasing tidal anomalies, causing extended moderate to locally major tidal flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $17,887 and an average water depth of 2.0 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X also have a history of claims, though with fewer occurrences and lower average payouts. Homeowners in coastal areas, those situated near tidal waters, and properties located in Zone A or X_SHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
31 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Dorchester County, Maryland has recorded 95 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 24 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 1 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 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 22, 2006 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Oct 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Mar 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Mar 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Nov 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Oct 29, 2025
Low pressure off the Mid-Atlantic coast combined with high pressure in Canada, resulting in a lengthy period of northeasterly onshore flow. Increasing tidal anomalies resulted in moderate to locally major tidal flooding over an extended period.
Coastal Flood — Aug 21, 2025
Hurricane Erin passed well offshore and combined with high pressure to the north, resulting in a period of strong onshore winds and coastal flooding across the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore.
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2025
A stationary front was anchored north of the area in Pennsylvania. Deep moisture was in place to the south of the front with precipitable water values near two inches. Strong surface heating resulted in robust instability with wind shear around 25 knots, allowing for deep, slow moving, convection capable of heavy rainfall and flash flooding during the afternoon and evening hours.
Coastal Flood — Oct 18, 2025
South and southwesterly winds developed ahead of a strong cold front. Winds became westerly behind the front, allowing water trapped in the middle Chesapeake Bay to flood portions of the Maryland Eastern Shore.
Coastal Flood — Oct 12, 2025
A coastal low formed off of the Southeast coast on October 11 and slowly tracked north into October 13 before moving offshore. Meanwhile, a strong 1035mb area of high pressure lingered over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. This resulted in a prolonged period of strong northeast to north winds across the Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters, which allowed for widespread moderate coastal flooding across ...
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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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.