Flood — Frederick, Maryland

2025-05-14 to 2025-05-16 · near Tuscarora, Frederick, Maryland

Event narrative

The Potomac River At Point of Rocks river gauge reach minor flood stage on May 14, 2025. Water levels at the Point of Rocks river gauge continue to rise eventually cresting in moderate flood stage at 23.56 feet. Here are the impacts experienced at this these levels At 16 feet, the parking lots at both the McKimmey and Brunswick boat ramps begin to flood. Flooding of an agricultural field adjacent to the McKimmey boat ramp is occurring. About half the lower parking lot of the Point of Rocks boat ramp is also flooded. At 17 feet, water enters the comfort station at the Brunswick boat ramp parking area. At 18 feet, water approaches structures at the Brunswick campground. At 20 feet, The boat ramp and lower parking lot at Point of Rocks are flooded. Water approaches the water treatment plant in Brunswick. Farmland behind the Tarara Vineyard is flooded. At 22 feet, water begins to cover the C&O Canal towpath near Point of Rocks and Brunswick.

Wider weather episode

A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area. A long duration period of rain ensued, with rain rates exceeding two inches an hour during the afternoon of May 13th. The slow moving storms coupled with training led to localized rainfall totals of four to eight inches across western Maryland, with lesser amounts of two to four inches across central Maryland. Most of this rain fell in a 6 hour period, resulting in flash flooding especially across western Maryland.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.2180, -77.4668)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1251050. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.