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, 2:38 AM EDT Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
“If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.”
NWS Wakefield VA, Coastal Flood Warning, 2:38 AM EDT Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
“Flooding will extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays resulting in some road closures and flooding of vehicles.”
NWS Wakefield VA, Coastal Flood Warning, 2:38 AM EDT Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Protect flood-prone property now. Move valuables and vehicles away from the shoreline and tidal waterways if you can do so safely.
Avoid travel in low-lying areas near the water. If you must go out, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away.
If water is rising near your home or business, move to higher ground. Check NWS updates until the warning ends or is changed.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 1,143 claims in Dorchester County, 244 in Wicomico County and 1,260 in Somerset County between 1978 and 2026. These counts cover only insured properties, so they understate total flood damage.
All three counties were included in 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 expired at 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
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Questions
- Is there a coastal flood warning in Dorchester, Wicomico and Somerset Counties, Maryland?
- Yes. The National Weather Service office in Wakefield, Virginia says the Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect until 2:00 PM EDT on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- How high could the water get?
- The National Weather Service says up to one foot of inundation above ground level is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Water will be 1 to 2 feet above ground level in some areas.
- What impacts are expected from this coastal flooding?
- The National Weather Service expects widespread flooding of vulnerable areas, with an elevated threat of property damage to waterfront homes and businesses. Numerous roads may close and vehicles may flood.
Sources
- NWS Wakefield VA: Coastal Flood Warning, Oct 22, 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.