Somerset County, Maryland
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 24039 · population 24,620 · 320 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 293 records for Somerset County, Maryland from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 230 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (88 records). The most damaging was the October 29, 2012 coastal flood ($6.4 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 14 declarations naming the county since 1972, 12 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 24, 2026.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 293on 230 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 06 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $18Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 6strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 14latest 2026
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Somerset County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 88 since 1969. 70% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1969 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Maryland's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 88 | 57 | 1969-2025 | 0 | 5 | $650K | 21 of 23 |
| Winter storms | 77 | 77 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $34K | 19 of 23 |
| Floods | 39 | 35 | 2006-2025 | 0 | 0 | $7.6M | 18 of 23 |
| Heavy rain | 31 | 23 | 1998-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 of 23 |
| Hail | 22 | 17 | 1962-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 18 of 23 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 10 | 10 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 0 | $3.6M | 2 of 23 |
| High wind and dust storms | 6 | 6 | 2006-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.5M | 22 of 23 |
| Tornadoes | 6 | 6 | 1981-2022 | 0 | 1 | $403K | 19 of 23 |
| Extreme cold | 4 | 4 | 1996-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 20 of 23 |
| Heat | 4 | 4 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 19 of 23 |
| Lightning | 4 | 4 | 2010-2022 | 0 | 0 | $15K | 19 of 23 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 1 | 1 | 2025-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 of 23 |
| Drought | 1 | 1 | 1998-1998 | 0 | 0 | $3.6M | 18 of 23 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Somerset County had?
NOAA records 6 tornadoes in Somerset County from 1981 to 2022, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 1 injury recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 6 tornadoes whose track touched Somerset County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 6, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Maryland.
Every tornado record filed for Somerset County (6)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-08-04 | Rhodes Pt, Somerset County | EF1 2.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $252K |
| 2006-07-05 | Marion, Somerset County | F0 0.3 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2003-07-14 | Crisfield, Somerset County | F0 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-05-13 | Shelltown, Somerset County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $33K |
| 2002-01-06 | Deal Is, Somerset County | F0 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $33K |
| 1981-09-08 | Somerset County | F1 1 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Somerset County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the July 9, 2025 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-22 | Heavy SnowSomerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-29 | Astronomical Low TideSomerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-18 | Coastal FloodSomerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-12 | Coastal FloodSomerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-22 | Coastal FloodSomerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-09 | Flash FloodCrisfield, Somerset County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-09 | Flash FloodCrisfield, Somerset County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-09 | Thunderstorm WindPrincess Anne, Somerset County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-07-08 | Thunderstorm WindCosten, Somerset County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $21K |
| 2025-06-23 | Excessive HeatSomerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindCokesbury, Somerset County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindPrincess Anne, Somerset County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-06-26 | Thunderstorm WindSomerset County | 0 | 4 | – | |
| 2025-07-08 | Thunderstorm WindCosten, Somerset County Severe winds damaged crops and downed trees near Pocomoke City. An EMS vehicle was almost overturned in high wind and a motorcyclist was blown off the highway, resulting in an injury. | 60 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $21K |
| 2022-08-04 | TornadoRhodes Pt, Somerset County A waterspout touched down in the Chesapeake Bay just to the southwest of Smith Island before moving ashore and capsizing several boats longer than 25 feet in Sheep Pen Gut. After crossing Sheep Pen Gut, the tornado crossed Marsh Road just to the northwest of Calvary Church, where power poles were downed. The tornado ... | EF1 2.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $252K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-10-29 | Coastal FloodSomerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | $6.4M | |
| 2011-08-27 | Tropical StormSomerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 1999-09-15 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Somerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 2016-10-09 | FloodPrincess Anne, Somerset County | 0 | 0 | $615K | |
| 2003-09-18 | Tropical StormSomerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | $555K | |
| 2021-10-28 | Coastal FloodSomerset County · forecast zone Somerset | 0 | 0 | $272K | |
| 2022-08-04 | TornadoRhodes Pt, Somerset County | EF1 2.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $252K |
| 1995-11-11 | Thunderstorm WindSmith Island, Somerset County | 0 | 0 | $97K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: September 8, 1981 (tornado, Somerset County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Somerset County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 22 | 28 | 20 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 25 | 31 | 12 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 0 | 3 | 16 | 20 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 2 | 3 | 15 | 11 |
| Hail | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 3 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | – | – | – | – | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
70% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1969 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 35 · Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 16 · May 17 · Jun 46 · Jul 49 · Aug 21 · Sep 18 · Oct 22 · Nov 7 · Dec 14 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Somerset County
FEMA's register lists 14 declarations that include Somerset County: 8 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (7) and snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3634 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2020-03-26 | DR-4491 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3430 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2012-11-20 | DR-4091 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012-10-28 | EM-3349 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2011-09-16 | DR-4034 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2011-08-27 | EM-3335 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3251 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2003-09-19 | DR-1492 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| 1999-09-24 | DR-1303 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations |
| 1996-01-11 | DR-1081 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1993-03-16 | EM-3100 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
| 1977-01-26 | DR-524 | Snowstorm | Ice Conditions |
| 1972-06-23 | DR-341 | Flood | Tropical Storm Agnes |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Somerset County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 39 flood or flash flood records for Somerset County from 2006 to 2025, on 35 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Somerset County ranks 278th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Isaias | 2020-08-04 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Sandy | 2012-10-29 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Irene | 2011-08-27 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Isabel | 2003-09-18 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Floyd | 1999-09-15 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $15.1 million on 1,260 claims filed in Somerset County; the most in one year was 689 in 2012. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 3 · 1980: 8 · 1983: 2 · 1984: 66 · 1985: 13 · 1989: 1 · 1991: 6 · 1992: 2 · 1993: 6 · 1994: 1 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 1 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 3 · 1999: 103 · 2000: 1 · 2003: 153 · 2004: 4 · 2005: 2 · 2006: 2 · 2008: 4 · 2009: 3 · 2010: 2 · 2011: 16 · 2012: 689 · 2013: 6 · 2014: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2019: 14 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 73 · 2022: 21 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Somerset County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Somerset County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $16.9 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flooding | Relatively High | $7.0M | 3.7 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate | $4.9M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $337K | 4.5 modeled event-days a year |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $602K | once in about 236 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $867K | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $58K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $35K | 5.2 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $289K | 1.5 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Somerset County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in MarylandEvery Maryland tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in MarylandThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Maryland recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Somerset CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Somerset County's FEMA declarations (CSV)14 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis