Enter any address in Prince George's County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Prince George's County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 117 flash flood events and 103 flood events, significantly outnumbering tropical storm events. For example, on July 31, 2025, slow-moving thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving two to six inches, leading to scattered flash flooding. Earlier that month, on July 9, 2025, an unusually moist airmass contributed to storms with rain rates approaching five to six inches per hour, causing flooding and flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $4,597 and an average water depth of 5.2 feet. However, properties in Zone A, while fewer in number, have seen higher average payouts of $11,019, though with a lower average water depth of 2.4 feet. Homeowners in Zone X_SHADED also experienced significant payouts with an average of $8,401 and 5.3 feet of water depth, despite having only 20 claims. Residents in all flood zones, particularly those in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED, should be aware of their 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.
Prince George's County, Maryland has recorded 224 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 117 flash floods and 103 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 4 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 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 6, 2011 |
| 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 |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 28, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 16, 2022 | 0.00K |
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 14, 2025
Another day of an anomalously moist airmass produced numerous showers and thunderstorms across Maryland. This resulted in localized rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches in a short period of time, which resulted in instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms developed early in the afternoon in an anomalously moist airmass along the Chesapeake Bay Breeze and remnant outflow boundaries. These storms remained nearly stationary through the first part of the afternoon producing a quick two to four inches of rain before dissipating.
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.
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 Prince George's 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 Prince George's 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.