Enter any address in Washington County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Washington County, MD. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 73 flood events and 45 flash flood events. For example, on May 14, 2025, slow-moving storms brought 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 A, which are areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, have experienced the highest number of claims (215) with an average payout of $11,379 and an average water depth of 4.6 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X_UNSHADED also have a history of claims, with average payouts of $14,325 and $5,440 respectively. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas with moderate flood risk like Zone X_SHADED, should pay close attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
43 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Washington County, Maryland has recorded 118 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 45 flash floods and 73 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 3 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 Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 15, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 7, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 7, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 7, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 23, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 15, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 15, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 11, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 2, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 14, 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...
Flash Flood — Jul 22, 2024
Heavy showers and thunderstorms ahead of a cold front led to flash flooding for portions of Washington County in Maryland.
Flood — Sep 7, 2022
A slow moving front caused showers and thunderstorms to develop. Deep moisture caused heavy rainfall, and with the slower movement of storms this led to instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 7, 2022
A slow moving front caused showers and thunderstorms to develop. Deep moisture caused heavy rainfall, and with the slower movement of storms this led to instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Flood — May 7, 2022
A line of thunderstorms crossing a warm front caused several instances of flooding across MD on May 6th into May 7th. Residual river flooding continued through May 9th due to excessive runoff.
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 Washington 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 Washington 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.