The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is gearing up for potential tidal flooding in low-lying areas and roads across Southern Maryland and the lower Eastern Shore as Hurricane Erin churns offshore in the Atlantic. Although the state will not face a direct hit from the Category 2 storm, surge effects could lead to roadway inundation during high tides, prompting crews to clear drainage inlets and ditches, check generators, ready high water signs and prepare chainsaws and chippers for deployment.
Hurricane Erin, which strengthened back to hurricane status on August 18, 2025, after briefly weakening, is forecast to pass closest to the U.S. East Coast on August 20 and 21, brushing near North Carolina’s Outer Banks before heading toward Bermuda. The National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of 100 mph as of August 20 morning, with the storm expected to possibly regain major hurricane strength—Category 3 or higher—before weakening again. Tropical storm watches extend from Virginia Beach northward to Fenwick Island, Delaware, encompassing Ocean City, Maryland, where officials have prohibited swimming due to dangerous rip currents and high surf. In Southern Maryland, areas like St. Mary’s County and Calvert County, with their extensive Chesapeake Bay shorelines, face heightened risks of Southern Maryland tidal flooding as the storm’s outer bands push water inland.
Forecasters anticipate coastal flooding of up to two feet above normal tides in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, including Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where surge could exacerbate erosion and inundate low-lying roads. The Maryland State Highway Administration emphasized safety with the slogan “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” noting that most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Two feet of rapidly moving water can float a bus, and six inches can knock a person off their feet. Additional advice includes avoiding downed or damaged power lines, being aware of fallen trees and debris, and steering clear of areas where water runs across roads.
High winds and water may cause scattered power outages, leading the agency to remind drivers to treat intersections with non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops. Residents can report issues on state-maintained roads through the department’s online portal, and real-time traffic updates are available at chart.maryland.gov.
Hurricane Erin’s path, originating as a tropical wave off Africa and named on August 13, 2025, has prompted states of emergency in North Carolina, with mandatory evacuations for parts of the Outer Banks. While Maryland avoids the brunt, the storm’s large size—hurricane-force winds extend 60 miles from the center—will generate life-threatening rip currents along beaches from Florida to New England, already responsible for several rescues and at least one fatality in recent days. Rip currents, the third-leading cause of hurricane-related deaths, can occur on sunny days far from the storm’s center.
In Southern Maryland, tidal flooding risks are amplified by the region’s geography, where the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay converge, creating vulnerable inlets and marshes. Local emergency managers monitor tide gauges at sites like Solomons Island, where water levels could rise 1 to 2 feet above astronomical predictions during peak cycles on August 20 and 21. Roads such as Route 235 in Lexington Park or Route 4 near Prince Frederick have historically seen closures during similar events, disrupting commutes and access to communities like Leonardtown.
This preparation echoes responses to past storms that brought Southern Maryland tidal flooding. Hurricane Isabel in 2003, a Category 2 system that made landfall in North Carolina, caused record storm surges in Maryland, with water levels reaching 8 feet above normal in Baltimore and severe erosion along Chesapeake Bay shores. Isabel led to widespread power outages affecting over 1 million customers and damaged thousands of homes in Southern Maryland, where flooded roads isolated areas for days. Similarly, Hurricane Irene in 2011 dumped up to 10 inches of rain, triggering flash floods and Southern Maryland tidal flooding that closed bridges and prompted evacuations in low-lying spots.
The Great March Storm of 1962, a nor’easter with hurricane-force winds, reshaped Ocean City’s inlet and caused extensive Southern Maryland tidal flooding, destroying boardwalks and homes. These events highlight the area’s susceptibility, with climate change contributing to higher sea levels—Maryland’s coast has risen about 1 foot since 1900—exacerbating surge risks.
Maryland’s hurricane history dates to 1950, with 147 tropical systems affecting the state, many causing Southern Maryland tidal flooding through indirect paths similar to Erin’s. The 1933 Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane, a Category 2, brought 6-foot surges to Southern Maryland, flooding farms and roads. Such precedents inform current strategies, including the Maryland State Highway Administration’s proactive clearing of debris to prevent clogged drains from worsening Southern Maryland tidal flooding.
As Erin moves northeast at 12 mph, forecasts predict diminishing impacts by August 22, but vigilance remains key. The Atlantic hurricane season, running June 1 to November 30, has seen above-average activity in 2025, with Erin as the fifth named storm. For Southern Maryland residents, familiar with Bay-area vulnerabilities, these preparations underscore the need for readiness, even from offshore threats.
The Maryland Department of Transportation urges using 511 for travel updates and avoiding unnecessary trips during high tide periods. Long-term, the state invests in resilient infrastructure, like elevated roads in flood-prone zones, to mitigate recurring Southern Maryland tidal flooding.
