Cambridge, MD Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Cambridge on Maryland's Eastern Shore faces increasing tidal flooding from the Choptank River and Chesapeake Bay. Low-lying neighborhoods experience regular inundation during high tide and storm events.
Dorchester County has recorded 1,141 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $20.2M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 3
NFIP Policies
1,785
Dorchester County
Avg. Premium
$442/yr
Dorchester County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Dorchester County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $2.3M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $5.8M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $3.5M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Dorchester County
Dorchester County has been included in 8 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 2 earlier declarations since 1972.
These declarations affected communities across Dorchester County, including Cambridge.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Dorchester County
Properties in Dorchester County have filed 1,141 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $20.2M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $18K.
Highest-Claim Years
2003
706 claims - $14.4M
2021
120 claims - $3.0M
1996
71 claims - $318K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Dorchester County
Only roughly 1 in 7 households in Dorchester County carries NFIP flood insurance (14% of estimated households). This county has elevated flood risk with below-average insurance coverage, meaning many flood losses may go uninsured.
Penetration Rate
14%
roughly 1 in 7 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 2
1,141 claims over 45+ years across 1,785 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$17,694
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Dorchester County has averaged 1 claim for every 2 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Cambridge.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Cambridge
Cambridge is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Cambridge are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $2.3M. Properties in Cambridge's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in Cambridge are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Cambridge address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Dorchester County
Dorchester County has 85 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 3 severe repetitive loss properties. 2 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
85
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
3
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
2
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Dorchester County
NOAA has recorded 31 flood events in Dorchester County since 1996, causing $3K in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Dorchester County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 14 properties in Dorchester County, investing $424K in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Cambridge, MD Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Cambridge, MD?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Cambridge are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Cambridge?
If your Cambridge property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Cambridge?
Enter your Cambridge address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
What type of flooding affects Cambridge?
Cambridge is primarily affected by coastal flooding including storm surge and wave action. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Cambridge address.
Has Cambridge experienced major flooding events?
Dorchester County, where Cambridge is located, has been part of 8 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Tropical Storm Isaias in 2021. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Cambridge?
Dorchester County has recorded 1,141 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $20.2M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2003, with 706 claims and $14.4M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Cambridge.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Cambridge?
Dorchester County currently has 1,785 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $442. The most policies are in Zone AE (1,476 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Cambridge properties have flooded repeatedly?
Dorchester County has 85 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 3 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Cambridge property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Cambridge?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Cambridge's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Maryland Cities
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Look Up Any Cambridge, MD Address
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.