Since 1950, 150 known hurricanes, tropical storms and tropical depressions have affected the U.S. state of Maryland. Many of these storms also affect the country's capital, Washington, D.C., since the city is located on territory ceded by Maryland. Hurricanes are the most intense classification of these storms, while tropical storms and tropical depressions are generally weaker. The Delmarva Peninsula is often affected by cyclones that brush the East Coast. Central and Western Maryland, as well as Washington, D.C., commonly receive rainfall from the remnants of storms that make landfall elsewhere and track northward. On rare occasions, the area experiences the effects of Pacific storms; one such example of this is Hurricane Tico, which made landfall on Mexico and moved inland.
Hurricane Agnes of the 1972 season was the deadliest storm, killing 19 people as a result of heavy flooding. The most damaging storm was Hurricane Irene, which resulted in $151 million in damage. Hurricane Hazel caused sustained hurricane-force winds (winds of or greater) in the state, the only storm during the time period to do so. No storms made landfall in Maryland at hurricane intensity. Since 1950, thirteen tropical cyclones have collectively killed 64 people.
Storms Pre–1900
October 23, 1878- An unnamed category 2 hurricane mostly known as the "Gale of '78" struck the state causing damage to the Baltimore/Washington region. October 13-14, 1893- An unnamed category 1 hurricane moved through the region causing minor damage. September 30, 1896- An unnamed category 1 hurricane moved though Southern Maryland and parts of Virginia.
1900–1949
1950–1959
September 9, 1950 – Outer moisture from Hurricane Dog dropped heavy rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic. In Bel Air, a car drove into the swollen Gunpowder River; three people in the car drowned and a fourth was injured. September 1, 1952 – Tropical Storm Able crossed the state, although damage, if any, is unknown. October 15, 1954 – Hurricane Hazel crossed the state, producing hurricane-force winds. In addition to wind damage, flooding was severe along the Chesapeake Bay, while flash flooding was reported inland. Overall, six deaths and about $11 million in damage were reported. August 12, 1955 – Tropical Storm Connie caused widespread damage, including where the storm's center passed directly over St. Mary's, Calvert, and Anne Arundel Counties. It dropped heavy rainfall, peaking at in Preston. The rainfall led to flooding which caused $2.5 million in damage. When the schooner Levin J. Marvel capsized in high seas, 14 people drowned. August 18, 1955 – As Tropical Storm Diane began its turn to the east-northeast over Virginia, associated heavy rains, combined with saturated grounds from Connie just days before, caused flooding in central parts of the state, especially along the Potomac River. September 19, 1955 – Hurricane Ione made landfall in North Carolina; its outer moisture produced light rainfall across the state. September 28, 1956 – Hurricane Flossy passed southeast of the state, producing up to of rain. In nearby Washington, D.C., a peak wind gust of was reported. September 28, 1958 – Hurricane Helene remained well off of the Carolina coast, though light rain fell across the Mid-Atlantic states. September 30, 1959 – The remnants of Hurricane Gracie dropped moderate rainfall over western Maryland.
1960–1969 July 30, 1960 – Tropical Storm Brenda crossed southeastern Maryland. The storm's rainfall caused flooding in St. Mary's County. September 12, 1960 – Hurricane Donna passed just offshore, producing wind gusts of over in Ocean City. Flooding along the eastern shore caused two deaths. September 21, 1961 – Hurricane Esther moved northward, parallel to the coast. Wind gusts to were observed at Ocean City, and storm surge flooding caused damage to the city's sea wall and boardwalk.
September 1, 1964 – In Westernport, of rain fell as Tropical Storm Cleo tracked just south of the state. October 4, 1964 – The remnants of Hurricane Hilda caused light to moderate precipitation. October 17, 1964 – The remnants of Hurricane Isbell dropped light rainfall. September 13, 1965 – The remnants of Hurricane Betsy produced light rainfall across western part of the state. September 16, 1967 – Tropical Storm Doria made landfall in Virginia; associated high seas damaged the boardwalk at Ocean City. June 13, 1968 – Tropical Depression Abby produced of rainfall at Centreville. June 26, 1968 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Candy dropped moderate rainfall. September 11, 1968 – Tropical Depression Fourteen produced of rain near Parkton. October 20, 1968 – As Hurricane Gladys paralleled the east coast, tides of up to were felt along the coast. As a result, street flooding was reported in Ocean City. August 20, 1969 – The remnants of Hurricane Camille caused extensive flooding in Virginia, though they drop only moderate rainfall peaking at in Maryland. September 9, 1969 – Hurricane Gerda intensified offshore, prompting a hurricane watch for eastern Maryland. Because the storm remained offshore, only light precipitation fell.
1970–1979
August 28, 1971 – Tropical Storm Doria paralleled the east coast, resulting in tides 2.7 feet (0.8 m) above normal in Fort McHenry. September 13, 1971 – Tropical Storm Heidi passed offshore, dropping of rain in parts of the state. Early October 1971 – The remnants of Hurricane Ginger after making landfall in North Carolina, turned north-northeast, and brushed southern Maryland with light rainfall. June 2, 1972 – Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Agnes, combined with a separate low to the west, contributed to the state's worst flooding in 36 years. Severe damage and at least 19 deaths were reported throughout the region. Throughout the state, 1,930 were damaged, of which 103 were destroyed. 17 farm buildings were destroyed and 44 damaged, and 82 small businesses were destroyed. Total damage was estimated at $80 million. September 3, 1972 – Tropical Storm Carrie remained well offshore, though its outer bands dropped light precipitation across the southern Delmarva Peninsula. September 23–26, 1975 – Hurricane Eloise became an extratropical frontal low over Virginia. The storm's moisture dropped of rain in Westminster, causing severe flooding, particularly in the Monocacy and Patapsco River basins. October 27, 1975 – Tropical Storm Hallie became extratropical to the east of the state; light rain fell over the southern Delmarva Peninsula. August 9, 1976 – Hurricane Belle paralleled the east coast, prompting hurricane warnings for the coastline. The center of the storm passed to the east of the state, producing wind gusts of around at Ocean City. Mid-September 1976 – Subtropical Storm Three became extratropical to the south of the state. The resulting low moved northward, dropping moderate rainfall. July 29–31, 1979 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Claudette dropped light, spotty rainfall in southern areas. September 5, 1979 – Tropical Storm David crossed the western part of the state, dropping up to of rainfall. Associated bands spawned seven tornadoes throughout the state. One of the tornadoes struck near Crofton, causing tree and structure damage, as well as one injury.
1980–1989 June 7, 1981 – A tropical depression moved off the Mid-Atlantic coast, brushing the southern tip of Maryland with light rainfall. July 1, 1981 – Tropical Storm Bret made landfall in Maryland, although there was no reported damage. August 19, 1981 – Tropical Storm Dennis brushed the extreme southern section of the Delmarva Peninsula, with light rainfall. September 30, 1983 – Tropical Storm Dean made landfall in Virginia and produced up to of rainfall in the state. October 25, 1983 – The remnants of Hurricane Tico, a Pacific storm, dropped light rainfall across Maryland and surrounding locations.
July 25, 1985 – The remnants of Hurricane Bob caused moderate rainfall in southern Maryland, and light wind gusts. Rough seas from the system capsized a few boats along the Potomac River, and the rainfall collapsed a house under construction in Great Falls, Maryland. August 18, 1985 – Remnant moisture from Hurricane Danny dropped up to of rain on the Delmarva Peninsula, although damage, if any is unknown. September 24, 1985 – Tropical Storm Henri paralleled the coastline, dropping light rainfall. September 27, 1985 – Hurricane Gloria passed east of Maryland and dropped over of rain. Wind gusts to blasted the coastline, causing beach erosion. August 18, 1986 – Hurricane Charley tracked just miles offshore, spawning wind gusts up to . The storm also dropped up to of rain in Maryland. September 1987 – Tropical Depression Nine produced up to of rainfall throughout the area. August 28, 1988 – The state received light rainfall caused by Tropical Storm Chris. Mid-October 1989 – The remnants of Hurricane Jerry tracked eastward off the Mid-Atlantic coast, dropping light amounts of rainfall in northern locales.
1990–1994 Mid-October 1990 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Marco produced moderate rainfall in western locations. August 19, 1991 – Hurricane Bob passed offshore, producing waves of up to high. Late August 1992 – Remnant moisture from Hurricane Andrew produced up to of rain in western areas of the state.
September 25, 1992 – Tropical Storm Danielle made landfall on the Delmarva Peninsula, producing winds of in Ocean City. Storm tide ranged from an estimated storm tide of 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m). The storm produced moderate rainfall of over three inches (76 mm) across the Eastern Shore of Maryland. September 1, 1993 – Uncertainty in the track of Hurricane Emily track prompted voluntary evacuations of Ocean City, although the storm quickly turned away from the state. July 21, 1994 – Tropical Depression Two passed just west of the western border with light precipitation. August 18, 1994 – Tropical Storm Beryl's remnants tracked over western Maryland, producing light rainfall. November 20, 1994 – Hurricane Gordon dissipated over South Carolina, dropping light to moderate rainfall over the southern Delmarva Peninsula.
1995–1999 June 6, 1995 – The remnants of Hurricane Allison produced light showers in some locations, amounting to less than an inch. August 6, 1995 – Remnant moisture from Hurricane Erin produced of rainfall in Chestertown. October 3, 1995 – The remnants of Hurricane Opal tracked well west of Maryland, producing light rainfall across the entire state. Moderate winds downed trees and tree limbs onto Maryland Route 495. The system spawned numerous tornadoes, the most notable of which contained winds of ; this particular tornado resulted in three injuries and damaged over 100 homes.
July 13, 1996 – Tropical Storm Bertha passed over the state producing wind gusts peaking at at Ocean City. Several trees and power lines were downed resulting in scattered power outages and property damage. In Dorchester, one tornado was confirmed. Also, rainfall of up to caused some street flooding. September 6, 1996 – Tropical Storm Fran tracked west of the state, spawning wind gusts of up to which, combined with saturated soil, downed numerous trees. Along the Chesapeake Bay, a storm surge of up to inundated coastal communities. This caused tidal flooding which resulted in one injury and forced several people to evacuate. The heavy rainfall severely flooded the Potomac River, damaging over 500 homes and destroying nearly of corn and soy crops. As a result of Fran, one death was reported, and $50 million (1996 USD, $68 million 2008 USD) in damage was blamed on the storm. October 8, 1996 – Moisture from Tropical Storm Josephine moved northward along the East Coast. Up to of rainfall was reported, resulting in the flooding of numerous roads. The Coast Guard station in Ocean City recorded a wind gust of which resulted in several downed trees and power lines. The winds broke loose a barge from its moorings.