Maryland
Chesapeake Bay's funnel shape amplifies storm surge into Baltimore and Annapolis. Ellicott City has flash-flooded twice in three years. The DC suburbs get paralyzed by ice. And sea-level rise is turning routine high tides into flooding events across the Eastern Shore.
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Know your region
Annapolis, Easton, Salisbury, Ocean City. Tidal flooding in Annapolis is increasing year over year. The Bay's funnel shape amplifies hurricane storm surge. Ocean City faces nor'easter erosion and hurricane risk. The Eastern Shore is flat and flood-prone.
Primary hazards: storm surge, tidal flooding, hurricanes, nor'easters
Baltimore, Columbia, Ellicott City, Towson. The 2016 Ellicott City flash flood destroyed the historic downtown. Hurricane Isabel (2003) pushed record surge into the Inner Harbor. Urban flooding from heavy rain overwhelms aging infrastructure.
Primary hazards: flash flooding, hurricanes, severe storms, heat
Hagerstown, Cumberland, Garrett County, the Appalachian ridges. Heavy snow accumulates in the mountains. Ice storms knock out power to rural communities. Flash flooding in narrow mountain valleys is a persistent threat.
Primary hazards: winter storms, flash flooding, severe storms
Your hazard profile
Each links to a full guide with during-event protocol, recovery steps, and resources specific to MD.
Hurricane Isabel (2003) pushed record storm surge into Baltimore's Inner Harbor and up the Bay. Tropical systems bring flooding, wind, and outages well inland. The Bay's funnel shape amplifies surge toward Baltimore and Annapolis.
Read the hurricanes guide →
Ellicott City flash-flooded catastrophically in 2016 and 2018. Tidal flooding in Annapolis is increasing year over year. Heavy rain overwhelms urban storm sewers in the Baltimore and DC suburbs. Flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period.
Read the flooding guide →
Severe storms bring straight-line winds, hail, and occasional tornadoes. The DC-Baltimore corridor experiences frequent summer severe weather. Microbursts topple trees and damage roofs.
Read the severe thunderstorms guide →
The 2010 Snowmageddon storms dumped over 50 inches. Western Maryland mountains receive heavy snow. Ice storms cause widespread outages. The Baltimore-Washington corridor comes to a standstill during ice events.
Read the winter storms guide →
Baltimore's urban heat island amplifies summer temperatures. Heat indices exceed 105 degrees F during peak events. Many older row homes lack central air conditioning.
Read the heat waves guide →
Maryland resources
Maryland Emergency Management Agency. Coordinates disaster response, manages the state's alert system, and administers FEMA programs.
Central Maryland and DC metro forecasts. Severe weather warnings, winter storm advisories, and flood alerts. The primary warning source for the I-95 corridor.
Maryland Department of the Environment flood maps. Tidal flooding projections, floodplain management, and sea-level rise planning for Chesapeake Bay communities.
Statewide information and referral. Energy assistance, food banks, disaster recovery resources, and housing support.
Ellicott City, twice
On July 30, 2016, over 6 inches of rain fell on Ellicott City in two hours. The Tiber and Hudson tributaries channeled the water straight through Main Street. Cars floated. Buildings collapsed. Two people died. The historic downtown was devastated.
On May 27, 2018, it happened again. Another flash flood, another catastrophe, same street. This time, one person died. The flood damage was, in some ways, worse because the 2016 recovery was not yet finished.
Ellicott City sits in a bowl where several steep stream valleys converge. The geography makes flash flooding not a question of if but when. The lesson for Maryland is that flash flood risk is topographic. If you live where water collects during heavy rain, the risk is permanent. Knowing your terrain is the first step. Having a plan to move to high ground within minutes is the second.