Worcester County, Maryland
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 24047 · population 52,454 · 468 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 499 records for Worcester County, Maryland from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 291 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (138 records). The deadliest day on its record was September 17, 2014: rip current records filed for Worcester County that day count 2 deaths across 2 records. 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
- 499on 291 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 131 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $26Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 15strongest EF2
- 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 Worcester County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 138 since 1996. 72% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 138 | 76 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $76K | 23 of 23 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 111 | 80 | 1956-2025 | 0 | 0 | $3.4M | 23 of 23 |
| Heavy rain | 67 | 38 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 0 | $8K | 6 of 23 |
| Floods | 54 | 37 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $14M | 23 of 23 |
| Hail | 32 | 24 | 1958-2025 | 0 | 0 | $4K | 20 of 23 |
| High wind and dust storms | 26 | 18 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.7M | 19 of 23 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 24 | 13 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $5.0M | 4 of 23 |
| Tornadoes | 15 | 11 | 1958-2020 | 0 | 0 | $1.8M | 17 of 23 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 13 | 12 | 2006-2025 | 13 | 1 | – | 1 of 23 |
| Heat | 7 | 4 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 22 of 23 |
| Extreme cold | 6 | 5 | 1996-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 22 of 23 |
| Lightning | 4 | 2 | 2016-2017 | 0 | 0 | $37K | 23 of 23 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 1 | 2009-2009 | 0 | 0 | – | 21 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 Worcester County had?
NOAA records 15 tornadoes in Worcester County from 1958 to 2020, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries 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 15 tornadoes whose track touched Worcester County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 15, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Maryland.
Every tornado record filed for Worcester County (15)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-08-04 | Bishopville, Worcester County | EF0 9.63 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $23K |
| 2020-08-04 | Showell, Worcester County | EF0 8 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $17K |
| 2020-08-04 | Girdletree, Worcester County | EF2 3.8 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $171K |
| 2016-08-01 | West Ocean City, Worcester County | EF0 3.82 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $92K |
| 2011-09-15 | Ocean Pines, Worcester County | EF0 0.81 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $52K |
| 2002-05-13 | Showell, Worcester County | F0 6 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2002-05-13 | Girdletree, Worcester County | F1 7 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $123K |
| 1996-08-18 | Ocean City, Worcester County | F0 2 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $28K |
| 1995-11-11 | Snow Hill, Worcester County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 1980-04-04 | Worcester County | F1 0.1 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1974-08-23 | Worcester County | F1 1.5 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1962-11-09 | Worcester County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1962-06-13 | Worcester County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1958-05-04 | Worcester County | F1 1.8 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1958-05-04 | Worcester County | F1 1.3 mi x 50 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 Worcester County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 22, 2026 heavy snow ($40,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-23 | Flash FloodMaryland Beach, Worcester County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-23 | Flash FloodOcean City, Worcester County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-22 | Heavy SnowWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-22 | Heavy SnowWorcester County · forecast zone Inland Worcester | 0 | 0 | $40K | |
| 2026-02-07 | High WindWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormWorcester County · forecast zone Inland Worcester | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-12 | Strong WindWorcester County · forecast zone Inland Worcester | 44 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-10-12 | Strong WindWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches | 44 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-10-12 | Coastal FloodWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-12 | Coastal FloodWorcester County · forecast zone Inland Worcester | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-09-16 | Strong WindWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches | 41 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-21 | Coastal FloodWorcester County · forecast zone Inland Worcester | 0 | 0 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07-03 | Rip CurrentWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches / X E Worcester Two swimmers were caught in rip current and one drowned, while the other was rescued. | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2025-08-08 | Rip CurrentWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches Assateague State Park sent five lifeguards to the Offshore Vehicle (OSV) Maryland section of the Assateague Island National Seashore. The lifeguards responded to a cardiac arrest of a male, approximately 60 years old who was in the water. First Aid was attempted, but they were unable to save him. The man was believed ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-09-06 | Rip CurrentWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches There was one rip current related fatality in Ocean City Maryland on September 6, 2023. The victim was a 68 year old male who later dies at the hospital. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-05-06 | Rip CurrentWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches A man died while swimming at Ocean City due to a rip current. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-08-04 | Rip CurrentWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches A 17 year old male drown from a rip current near 112th Street in Ocean City. Several others swimming in the group had to be rescued. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-07-16 | Rip CurrentWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches Drowning of a 33 year old male from a rip current occurred in Ocean City. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-07-04 | Rip CurrentWorcester County · forecast zone Inland Worcester Drowning of a male from a rip current occurred in Assateague National Park. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-05-23 | Rip CurrentWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches A man in his mid 20s going into cardiac arrest within a rip current was pulled from the water, and EMS needed to perform CPR and other lifesaving techniques. He was transported to Atlantic General Hospital in critical condition then later died. | 1 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-10-28 | Coastal FloodWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches | 0 | 0 | $3.2M | |
| 1998-01-27 | Coastal FloodWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches / X E Worcester | 0 | 0 | $2.7M | |
| 1998-02-04 | Coastal FloodWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches / X E Worcester | 0 | 0 | $2.7M | |
| 2012-10-28 | Coastal FloodWorcester County · forecast zone Inland Worcester | 0 | 0 | $2.6M | |
| 1995-11-11 | Thunderstorm WindOcean City, Worcester County | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | |
| 1996-09-06 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Worcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | |
| 2006-09-01 | High WindWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches / X E Worcester | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.5M |
| 2009-11-12 | Coastal FloodWorcester County · forecast zone Maryland Beaches | 0 | 0 | $1.4M |
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: May 4, 1958 (tornado, Worcester County); May 4, 1958 (tornado, Worcester County); June 13, 1962 (tornado, Worcester 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 Worcester 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 15 | 50 | 53 | 20 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 27 | 33 | 25 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 2 | 4 | 45 | 16 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 6 | 11 | 19 | 18 |
| Hail | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 14 | 5 | 2 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
72% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 65 · Feb 53 · Mar 32 · Apr 17 · May 49 · Jun 48 · Jul 92 · Aug 49 · Sep 32 · Oct 27 · Nov 17 · Dec 18 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Worcester County
FEMA's register lists 14 declarations that include Worcester County: 8 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (6) and snowstorm (4).
| 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 |
| 2016-03-04 | DR-4261 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 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 |
| 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 Worcester County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 54 flood or flash flood records for Worcester County from 1996 to 2026, on 37 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Worcester County ranks 155th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Isaias | 2020-08-04 | 2 | 0 |
| Hurricane Sandy | 2012-10-28 | 2 | 0 |
| Hurricane Irene | 2011-08-27 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Isabel | 2003-09-18 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $19.5 million on 2,519 claims filed in Worcester County; the most in one year was 654 in 2012. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 15 · 1979: 12 · 1980: 4 · 1981: 9 · 1982: 18 · 1983: 22 · 1984: 27 · 1985: 368 · 1986: 7 · 1987: 6 · 1988: 1 · 1989: 30 · 1990: 3 · 1991: 36 · 1992: 428 · 1993: 30 · 1994: 18 · 1995: 4 · 1996: 18 · 1997: 7 · 1998: 499 · 1999: 15 · 2000: 9 · 2001: 2 · 2002: 5 · 2003: 27 · 2004: 4 · 2005: 27 · 2006: 17 · 2007: 2 · 2008: 14 · 2009: 55 · 2010: 8 · 2011: 16 · 2012: 654 · 2013: 15 · 2015: 9 · 2016: 18 · 2017: 9 · 2018: 16 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 9 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2026: 3; 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 Worcester County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Worcester County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $25.5 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 | $4.5M | 3.7 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate | $11M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $149K | 5.3 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $2.0M | 1.2 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $379K | 2.8 modeled event-days a year |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $119K | once in about 826 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $112K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $470K | 4.2 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Worcester 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
- Winter storms in MarylandThe state's winter storm records, 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 Worcester CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Worcester County's FEMA declarations (CSV)14 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis