DNR and other state agencies have plans for flood mitigation and resources for Marylanders
Flooding stops traffic in Baltimore in July, 2024. Photo submitted to MyCoast
Maryland’s rivers have long histories of destructive flooding. Events such as the 1868 Great Flood of Patapsco Valley, Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the 2016 and 2018 Ellicott City floods, and the most recent flooding in Westernport this May demonstrate the magnitude of riverine and rainfall based flooding the state must plan for.
In response, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Department of Emergency Management lead the state in implementing several different strategies that support preparedness and resilience across Maryland.
Proactive flood preparation in Maryland lands and communities
There are multiple ways to prepare the landscape to be more resilient to potential flooding. DNR’s Watershed and Climate Services team leads habitat and floodplain restoration, reconnection of rivers to natural floodplains, and wetland restoration to slow and absorb floodwaters. This work is supported by DNR’s Grants Gateway program, which offers multiple funding opportunities for communities to rebuild natural systems to withstand flooding.
The department also provides technical and financial assistance to help municipalities implement natural infrastructure and nature-based solutions such as rain gardens, bioswales, and living shorelines.
Through the Grants Gateway Outcome 2 funding source, DNR helps municipalities assess vulnerabilities, conduct flood-risk mapping, and design adaptation strategies tailored to both rainfall and riverine flood hazards.
Outcome 2 funds projects like the Prince George’s County Nuisance Flood Plan, which considers urban flooding driven by stormwater, and the Town of Chevy Chase View’s Stormwater Management and Climate Resilience Study, which looks at stormwater drainage and possible effects from changes in precipitation frequency and intensity.
MDEM also assists local jurisdictions with threat and hazard assessments for all hazard impacts, including flooding.
Floods in Townson in January, 2024, block a car in a roadway. Photo submitted to MyCoast
For longer-term planning, MDEM is updating the FEMA-required Hazard Mitigation Plan for the state, which uses data and stakeholder input to ensure proper hazard identification and give a basis for statewide hazard mitigation efforts over five years.
MDEM also houses the Maryland Office of Resilience, which coordinates climate and disaster resilience efforts across state agencies and with local governments. Flood resilience is one key element of that mission.
The Department of Natural Resources also prioritizes flood preparedness on state public lands it manages. At Patapsco Valley State Park and other state parks with higher flooding risk, DNR has installed high-water exit signage and evacuation route markers for trails. River gauges monitor water levels, and rangers receive training on hazard communication and visitor evacuation.
Additionally, the department’s Program Open Space acquires land not only to benefit the public with greenspace and water access, but to help protect inland communities and buffer areas that have potential flood risk.
Documenting flood conditions
The department also collects data to track flood conditions in the state. MyCoast Maryland is a community science platform that enables the state to better prepare for and respond to flooding by crowdsourcing real-time flood documentation from communities across Maryland.
The platform collects and analyzes photos submitted by the public, linking them to real-time precipitation and riverine data to help government agencies understand localized flooding impacts. This grassroots approach fills critical gaps in traditional flood monitoring, allowing government planners to identify vulnerable areas that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Floodwaters cover yards and residential streets in Chesapeake Beach in October, 2025. Photo submitted to MyCoast
By transforming members of the public into active observers of flooding events, MyCoast Maryland helps the state build a more detailed picture of where and when flooding occurs, which is essential for long-term planning and flood mitigation efforts.
The photographic evidence and associated data collected through the platform enable government agencies to make informed decisions about infrastructure improvements, emergency response protocols, and community resilience strategies. This collaborative approach to flood documentation helps build a historical database of flooding patterns that can inform future land use planning and climate adaptation measures.
Monitoring for flooding and taking action
Flash flooding remains one of Maryland’s most dangerous hazards because forecasts often provide only minutes of warning. As we have seen from previous events in mountainous areas such as Westernport and narrow stream valleys like Patapsco, waterways can go from safe to life-threatening in an instant.
To improve situational awareness, MDEM works closely with the National Weather Service forecast offices that cover Maryland and the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center to monitor river and stream gauge data, track abnormal or rapid rises, and support real-time decision-making as conditions evolve.
In partnership with the University of Maryland, MDEM is also placing a network of weather stations around the state to provide real-time weather data for improved decision making and public warning. Thirty-nine of the planned 74 stations are currently operational. In the event of weather events that could have flood impacts, MDEM holds Statewide Emergency Manager calls to coordinate, share information, and address resource needs.
April flooding raised water levels in downtown Annapolis in 2024. Photo by Dylan Taillie/DNR
Maryland’s emergency management framework is coordinated by the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources playing a critical role in preparedness and flood response through its water, floodplain, and environmental expertise.
The Department of Natural Resources flood preparedness responsibilities include providing Natural Resources Police for swift-water rescue operations, evacuation support, and search and rescue missions. Natural Resources Police monitor and transmit on the marine radio channels and work closely with the Maryland Joint Operations Center, which operationalizes the overall MDFiRST radio system.
During the May 2025 Western Maryland floods, the Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Department of Emergency Management jointly coordinated rescue operations, deployed watercraft and high-clearance vehicles, and provided on-the-ground situational awareness to county emergency managers.
As intense rainfall events become more frequent, Maryland’s preparedness depends on sustained investment, strategic planning, and a proactive commitment to resilience. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is committed to working alongside the Maryland Department of Emergency Management and other state agencies to safeguard lives, protect natural resources, and enhance watershed resilience. With collaboration and coordinated action the state can make both people and landscapes more resilient when flooding inevitably occurs.
By Marlo Atkinson, science communicator with DNR’s Watershed and Climate Services
