Key facts
- Alert
- Coastal Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Wakefield VA
- Areas
- Dorchester; Wicomico; Somerset
- In effect
- until 2:00 PM EDT, Oct 22, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.”
NWS Wakefield VA, Coastal Flood Warning, 7:59 PM EDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
“If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.”
NWS Wakefield VA, Coastal Flood Warning, 7:59 PM EDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
“Water will be 1 to 2 feet above ground level in some areas resulting in a sufficient depth to close numerous roads and threaten homes and businesses.”
NWS Wakefield VA, Coastal Flood Warning, 7:59 PM EDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Protect flood-prone property now. Move valuables, vehicles and supplies away from low areas near the shoreline and tidal waterways.
Avoid travel if you can. If you must go out, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. The National Weather Service says just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
If water rises near your home or business, move to higher ground. Flooding may extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays, so check your route before you leave.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance claims show past flooding in these counties. Since 1978, Dorchester County has 1143 claims, Wicomico County has 244 claims, and Somerset County has 1260 claims, with the most recent in 2026. These counts only include insured properties, so actual flood damage was likely wider.
All three counties were covered by FEMA disaster declarations for Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Irene in 2011. Dorchester County also had a declaration for Tropical Storm Isaias in 2021.
Updates
- The coastal flood warning is no longer in effect.
- The National Weather Service updated the coastal flood warning; it remains in effect until 2:00 PM EDT.
- NWS Wakefield VA issued the coastal flood warning until 2:00 PM EDT.
History here
This county: 1143 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4583 (2021): tropical storm isaias
- DR-4091 (2012): hurricane sandy
- DR-4034 (2011): hurricane irene
- DR-1910 (2010): severe winter storms and snowstorms
- DR-1652 (2006): severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes
This county: 244 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4091 (2012): hurricane sandy
- DR-4034 (2011): hurricane irene
- DR-1910 (2010): severe winter storms and snowstorms
This county: 1260 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
Check a home here for flood risk, free →Get these alerts on your iPhone
Herebeat is an iPhone app that shows official alerts like these (National Weather Service warnings, earthquakes, wildfires, air quality and more) for the places you save, each with its source and issue time. Download Herebeat on the App Store.
Questions
- Is there a Coastal Flood Warning in Dorchester, Wicomico and Somerset Counties, Maryland?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Wakefield, VA issued a Coastal Flood Warning at 2:07 PM EDT on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. It covers all three counties.
- When does the Coastal Flood Warning end?
- The warning is in effect until 2:00 PM EDT Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- How high could the water get?
- The National Weather Service expects one to two feet of water above ground level in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. This could close numerous roads and threaten homes and businesses.
Sources
- NWS Wakefield VA: Coastal Flood Warning, Oct 21, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.