Enter any address in Wicomico County, Maryland to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding and flash flooding are the most frequent flood event types in Wicomico County, MD, based on NOAA Storm Events data from the last 30 years. Coastal flooding occurred nine times, and flash flooding occurred 21 times. For example, moderate coastal flooding was reported on October 12-13, 2025, due to strong northeast winds. Localized flooding also occurred in the Salisbury area on August 14, 2025, following heavy rainfall from a slow-moving cold front.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with 138 claims filed over the past 30 years. These claims averaged $30,979 in payouts and an average water depth of 1.8 feet. Properties in Zone X also saw a significant number of claims, totaling 42, with an average payout of $16,153 and 0.7 feet of water depth. Homeowners in coastal areas, as well as those in or near flood-prone zones like Zone A, 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.
Wicomico County, Maryland has recorded 50 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 21 flash floods and 9 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 (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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
| Blizzard Of 96 (severe Snow Storm) | Snowstorm | Jan 6, 1996 |
| Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm | Snowstorm | Mar 13, 1993 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Oct 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Nov 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 22, 2023 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Oct 29, 2025
Low pressure off the Mid-Atlantic coast combined with high pressure in Canada, resulting in a lengthy period of northeasterly onshore flow. Increasing tidal anomalies resulted in moderate to locally major tidal flooding over an extended period.
Coastal Flood — Aug 21, 2025
Hurricane Erin passed well offshore and combined with high pressure to the north, resulting in a period of strong onshore winds and coastal flooding across the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore.
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2025
A late-summer hot and humid airmass was in place across the lower Maryland Eastern Shore on August 14. Additionally, a slow-moving cold front stalled southern Maryland, extending southwest in Virginia. Showers and storms with heavy rainfall produced localized flooding in the Salisbury area in the afternoon.
Coastal Flood — Oct 12, 2025
A coastal low formed off of the Southeast coast on October 11 and slowly tracked north into October 13 before moving offshore. Meanwhile, a strong 1035mb area of high pressure lingered over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. This resulted in a prolonged period of strong northeast to north winds across the Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters, which allowed for widespread moderate coastal flooding across ...
Coastal Flood — Nov 15, 2024
An area of low pressure moved across the Outer Banks and out to sea on the night of November 14 into November 15. Winds became northwest as the low moved offshore on November 15, pushing water into the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay. This resulted in moderate coastal flooding across portions of Maryland on November 15.
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 Wicomico 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 Wicomico 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.