Inland and Coastal Flooding
Anne Arundel County is situated along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Our communities border numerous creeks, streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. This fact makes portions of Anne Arundel County vulnerable to flooding during certain storm conditions. This also means that motorists must remain vigilant during periods of inclement weather.
What’s My Property’s Flood Risk?
A map outlining flood plain areas is available in the County’s General Development Plan. The National Flood Insurance program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers an address search tool that can be used to determine flood risk based on FEMA Flood Maps. These tools can help residents understand the character of their community and its network of roads.
Inland Flooding
There are two distinct types of road related flooding.The first is inland flooding. View a list that includes a list of roads prone to inland flooding that has been compiled by Anne Arundel County. Short periods of intense rainfall, or moderate rainfall over an extended period of time, leads to rising levels in area creeks, streams and rivers. As these water bodies flood their banks and adjacent floodplains, nearby roads in floodplain areas can be impacted. When this occurs, responders from the Fire Department, Police Department, and Department of Public Works work to warn motorists by placing devices such as road signs, safety cones, and reflective drums. Permanent road signs are also posted along recognized flood areas.
Coastal Flooding
Coastal and tidal flooding also impacts our communities from time to time. The most severe coastal flooding is possible during significant storm events such as tropical depressions, tropical storms, or hurricanes. Such storms can generate very significant tidal surges. More information on predicted impacts of such events is available from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Baltimore District. Occasionally coastal areas may flood when prevailing winds lead to tidal departures and abnormally high tides. The National Weather Service issues Coastal Flood Advisories and similar products to warn when these conditions are possible. See the National Weather Service for more information on Watches, Warnings or Advisories for Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Finally, even during periods of normal high tides storm drain outfalls and open ditches may be inundated and cease to function until the next low tide. This can lead to periods of standing water in ditches or at storm drain inlets along roadways.
Motorists should always follow warning signs and never drive through standing water. More information is available from the National Weather Service’s “Turn Around Don’t Drown” Information Toolbox at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/water/tadd/.
Reports of these types of flooding along county roads should be directed to the appropriate road district. Road districts are open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If roadway flooding is related to rising creeks, streams or rivers, or from inundation of coastal roads caused by tidal departures, warning signs will be placed and Anne Arundel County forces will monitor road segments until conditions improve.
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