Enter any address in Talbot County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Talbot County, MD, with 23 occurrences in the last 30 years. Coastal flooding is also a significant concern, with 9 events recorded during the same period. Recent examples include localized heavy rain from thunderstorms on August 5, 2022, which dropped up to 3 inches of rain, and moderate tidal flooding along the Chesapeake Bay on October 29, 2021, due to prolonged onshore flow.
National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $22,067 and an average water depth of 2.5 feet. However, properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X_UNSHADED have seen higher average payouts and significantly deeper water depths, averaging 7.0 and 6.9 feet respectively. Homeowners in coastal areas, as well as those in or near tidal waterways, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties located in zones with higher average water depths, such as X_SHADED and X_UNSHADED, may also warrant particular attention.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Talbot County, Maryland has recorded 41 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 23 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 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 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
| Snow | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Oct 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Oct 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 18, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 2, 2016 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Oct 30, 2025
An area of low pressure moving through Maryland resulted in southerly flow and a push of water up the Chesapeake Bay. This resulted in some moderate tidal flooding around the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
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.
Flash Flood — Aug 5, 2022
Thunderstorms brought locally heavy rain to Talbot County during the late afternoon and early evening of August 5. Rainfall totals were as high as 1.5 to 3.0 inches.
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 — 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 Talbot 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 Talbot 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.