
08/20/2025
08.20.2025 2 PM
FLOODING CONCERN
This map shows the areas most at risk for flooding between Thursday and Friday. The red zone (southern Anne Arundel County and nearby tidal waters) faces the highest risk of significant flooding. This is where the combination of incoming tides, strong water push from the Chesapeake Bay, and heavy rainfall will overlap, making flooding almost certain in low-lying areas. Roads near the shoreline could be underwater, and neighborhoods right along tidal rivers and creeks are especially vulnerable.
The orange zone (Baltimore City, Dundalk, Towson, and surrounding areas) faces an elevated flooding risk. Here, urban drainage issues make flooding worse because heavy rainfall runs off quickly, overwhelming storm drains. Add in higher tides, and you’ll likely see standing water on streets, flash flooding in poor drainage areas, and some tidal flooding along the Inner Harbor and Patapsco River.
The yellow zones (Harford County tidal areas and parts of southern Maryland) are at limited risk, but that doesn’t mean no flooding. Minor tidal flooding is possible along rivers like the Bush and Gunpowder, as well as localized street flooding during heavier downpours. These areas aren’t expected to see widespread problems, but the water rise will still be noticeable, especially at high tide.
Why This Is Happening:
This flooding threat comes from a combination of heavy rain and tidal influence from the Bay. Tropical systems offshore (or moisture pulled from them) can shift winds so that water piles up in the Chesapeake Bay. When this happens at the same time as high tide, water has fewer outlets to escape, which increases the risk of flooding. Even without a direct hit from a storm, tropical systems often disrupt pressure patterns, leading to stronger easterly winds that push water inland.
The other half of the equation is rainfall. Tropical moisture streaming into the Mid-Atlantic creates heavier, longer-lasting downpours. When this falls over urban areas like Baltimore or Annapolis, water drains slowly, backing up onto roads. If rainfall occurs near high tide, water levels rise faster and stick around longer.
Timing and Impacts:
The greatest flood risk is expected between Thursday and Friday, when the strongest moisture feed and highest tidal cycles line up. This does not mean everyone will flood, but it does mean sensitive areas will see problems first—places right along the water, roads that usually take on water during storms, and storm drain spots in the city that clog easily.
This is not a tornado or damaging wind setup the primary threat is water. It’s not the kind of event that produces sudden violent weather, but it is the type of setup where slow, steady rises in water levels can cause just as much disruption.