Water Damage Restoration in Baltimore, MD
Baltimore by the numbers: 178 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 52 freezing nights a year, 4 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Maryland insurance rules and costs.
Updated November 2, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Baltimore
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
Baltimore Flood Record
NOAA has 774 flood and flash flood reports for the 7 counties of the Baltimore metro area from 2016 to 2025, on 178 separate days; July had the most.
At the Md Science Center Baltimore gauge, July is the wettest month with 4.7 inches on average.
Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 1 report day.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 3.1 |
| February | 5 | 2.8 |
| March | 6 | 3.9 |
| April | 10 | 3.6 |
| May | 10 | 3.4 |
| June | 17 | 3.4 |
| July | 42 | 4.7 |
| August | 29 | 4.4 |
| September | 24 | 4.5 |
| October | 15 | 3.5 |
| November | 9 | 3 |
| December | 8 | 3.7 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel County | 95 | 135 |
| Baltimore County | 82 | 274 |
| Harford County | 42 | 161 |
| Howard County | 32 | 81 |
| Carroll County | 30 | 82 |
| Baltimore city | 22 | 27 |
| Queen Anne's County | 15 | 22 |
Freezing Nights in Baltimore
Baltimore averages 52 nights a year at or below 32°F (Md Science Center Baltimore station). About 9 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 63 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 7 counties of the Baltimore metro area from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Baltimore
The 7 counties of the Baltimore metro area were named in 4 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- May 16, 2025: Hail, 2.5 inch hail (Baltimore County)Tennis ball size hail was reported south-southeast of Hampstead.
- June 5, 2024: Tornado, EF2 (Carroll County)On the evening of Wednesday, June 5, 2024, a tornado that had peak damage along its path of 120mph or EF2 category, touched down 2 miles north-northwest of Eldersburg, Maryland.
- August 7, 2023: Thunderstorm wind, 90 mph gust (Carroll County)Thousands of trees, branches and wires blew down near and north of Westminster.
- August 4, 2020: Tropical storm (Howard County)The Howard County 911 Center received about a dozen calls for trees, branches, and wires down.
- July 30, 2016: Flash flood (Howard County)The survey revealed clear signs of flooding both from the Patapsco River and from flash flooding within Ellicott City.
Federal disaster declarations
- January 24, 2026: Severe Winter StormWinter Storm, FEMA EM-3634
- July 2, 2018: Severe Storm And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4376
- September 16, 2016: Severe Storm And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4279
- March 4, 2016: Severe Winter Storm And SnowstormSnowstorm, FEMA DR-4261
Baltimore Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Baltimore (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 295,032 housing units, a median build year of 1947, 82% built before 1980, 76% before 1970, 48% owner occupied.
Maryland Insurance Rules for Water Claims
Maryland treats failing to acknowledge a claim notice within 15 working days as an unfair claim settlement practice (COMAR 31.15.07.03).
Claim problems in Maryland go to the Maryland Insurance Administration.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Baltimore flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Baltimore
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
More Maryland Cities
Other Maryland city guides
Questions
When is the first freeze in Baltimore?
The median first night at or below 32°F is November 21 and the median last is March 24 at the Md Science Center Baltimore station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
Does Maryland license mold assessment or remediation?
No longer. Maryland's 2008 Mold Remediation Services Act required licensing by the Home Improvement Commission, but that law was terminated on July 1, 2019 (Maryland Home Improvement Commission, licensing FAQ).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, COMAR 31.15.07.03, Maryland Home Improvement Commission, licensing FAQ, EPA mold guide.