Enter any address in Kent County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding observed in Kent County, MD, with 21 such events recorded in the last 30 years. This can include intense rainfall from thunderstorms, as seen on September 23, 2021, when 3 to 5 inches of rain fell in northeastern Maryland, or flooding rains combined with other weather systems, such as on August 6, 2020. Coastal flooding also occurs, driven by factors like prolonged onshore flow and rainfall, impacting communities along the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. Notable coastal flood events occurred on January 10, 2024, and October 29, 2021.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates a significant number of claims in Zone A, which typically represents areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, averaging over $22,000 in payouts and over 1.5 feet of water depth. Claims were also filed in Zone X_SHADED and Zone V, with Zone V experiencing the highest average payouts. Homeowners in coastal areas, those near tidal waterways, and properties located in Zone A or Zone X_SHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Kent County, Maryland has recorded 37 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 21 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 |
| 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 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2009 |
| 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 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 21, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 4, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2013 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Jan 10, 2024
A strong system affected the region with steady southerly flow pushing water up into coastal communities both along the ocean and within the Delaware River/Bay and Chesapeake Bay. Water levels on the tidal Delaware River were higher due to 2 to 4+ inches of rainfall.
Coastal Flood — Oct 29, 2021
Strong high pressure located in eastern Canada and slow moving low pressure approaching from the southeastern states resulted in a prolonged onshore flow along the Middle Atlantic coast. Moderate tidal flooding occurred along the upper eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay on the night of October 29.
Flash Flood — Sep 23, 2021
Thunderstorms produced locally heavy rain in northeastern Maryland on the morning of September 23. Rainfall totals were as high as 3 to 5 inches.
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2020
An impulse moving along a stalled boundary draped across the region, in combination with moisture left over from Hurricane Isaias, produced severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and flooding rains over the eastern shore of Maryland during the early morning hours of August 6th.
Tropical Storm — Aug 4, 2020
Tropical Storm Isaias brought high winds, heavy rain, several tornadoes, and coastal flooding to the mid-Atlantic region, becoming the most impactful tropical cyclone to impact most of the region since Sandy in 2012.
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 Kent 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 Kent 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.