Enter any address in Garrett County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Garrett County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 51 flash flood events and 41 flood events. For example, on May 13, 2025, slow-moving storms produced localized rainfall totals of four to eight inches in a six-hour period, leading to flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the highest average payouts, with an average of $19,074 for an average water depth of 0.6 feet. Zone X_SHADED also saw significant payouts, averaging $14,117 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Properties in Zone A had an average payout of $10,506 with an average water depth of 0.5 feet.
Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and Zone X_UNSHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk. Residents in these zones have historically filed NFIP claims, indicating a higher likelihood of experiencing flood damage.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
44 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Garrett County, Maryland has recorded 92 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 51 flash floods and 41 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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 (1993–2026)
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 Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
| Snow | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 2003 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding Assoc With Tropical Storm Fran | Hurricane | Sep 6, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2019 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 27, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 27, 2018 | 0.50K |
Flash Flood — May 13, 2025
A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area. A long duration period of rain ensued, with rain rates exceeding two inches an hour during the afternoon of May 13th. The slow moving storms coupled with training led to localized rainfall totals of four to eight inches across western Maryland, with lesser amounts of two to four i...
Flood — Sep 1, 2021
The remnants of Ida produced widespread flooding along with instances of flash flooding across the area. Tropical moisture infiltrated the area and there were moderate amounts of instability as well. This combined with the lift provided from the remnants of Ida led to heavy rainfall during this time. Rainfall amounts averaged around 1-3 near and east of Interstate 95, with amounts around 4 to 8...
Flood — Mar 1, 2021
Low pressure over the midwestern United States brought a warm front across the region February 28th. Warm advection precipitation, enhanced by upslope flow and favorable upper jet dynamics, lead to an inch or two of rainfall in western portions of our forecast area. This, along with partial melting of snowpack in the mountains, lead to some isolated flooding across eastern western portions of o...
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2019
An unstable environment, plus residual outflow boundaries from previous convection, helped to expand thunderstorm coverage during the evening of the 29th and into the early morning hours of the 30th ahead of a sagging cold front. Storms pushed across Garrett County starting after 8 PM on the 29th. Periods of moderate to heavy rain occurred until around 4 AM the following morning as backbuildi...
Flash Flood — Jun 29, 2019
An unstable environment, plus residual outflow boundaries from previous convection, helped to expand thunderstorm coverage during the evening of the 29th and into the early morning hours of the 30th ahead of a sagging cold front. Storms pushed across Garrett County starting after 8 PM on the 29th. Periods of moderate to heavy rain occurred until around 4 AM the following morning as backbuildi...
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 Garrett 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 Garrett 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.