DMV Flood Resources: Official Programs & Contacts
In short
When you need the real authority — not a summary — these are the government programs that map, regulate, and respond to flooding across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Use this hub to find your jurisdiction's emergency-management agency, floodplain program, stormwater office, and alert sign-up.
This site summarizes flood information so it’s easier to understand — but for anything that affects your property, your insurance, or your safety, you should go straight to the agency that holds the authority. This hub points you to the right office in each jurisdiction.
The agencies that matter
Across the DMV, flood responsibilities are split among a few kinds of offices:
- Emergency management — issues alerts and coordinates response: DC HSEMA, MDEM, VDEM.
- Environment / floodplain programs — administer floodplain rules and mapping: DOEE (DC), MDE (Maryland), DCR (Virginia).
- Stormwater / public works — handle local drainage, storm drains, and street flooding, usually at the city or county level.
- Water utilities — manage sewers and combined-sewer systems: DC Water and county utilities.
Find your jurisdiction’s resources
Official flood resources by jurisdiction
District of Columbia.
- Emergency management & alerts: DC HSEMA (AlertDC sign-up).
- Floodplain & environment: DOEE.
- Sewers & combined-sewer system: DC Water.
See our full DC flood resources guide.
Maryland.
- Emergency management: MDEM.
- Floodplain & environment: Maryland Department of the Environment.
- County stormwater: Montgomery, Prince George’s, Howard, and Anne Arundel each run their own offices and alert systems.
See our full Maryland flood resources guide.
Virginia.
- Emergency management: VDEM.
- Floodplain program: Virginia DCR — Floodplain Management.
- County stormwater: Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William, and Loudoun maintain local programs and flood mapping.
See our full Virginia flood resources and Northern Virginia flood-prone areas.
Reporting flooding and drainage problems
Persistent street flooding, clogged storm drains, and sewer backups are usually handled by your city or county stormwater / public-works office, often through a 311 system. Reporting these issues creates the record that local governments use to prioritize drainage improvements. Our reporting guide explains who to contact in each jurisdiction.
Alerts and notifications
Free, opt-in alert systems are the simplest way to get warning before water rises:
- DC: AlertDC, via DC HSEMA.
- Maryland: county systems such as Alert Montgomery, plus MDEM resources.
- Virginia: local county opt-in systems and VDEM guidance.
- Region-wide: the NWS Baltimore/Washington office for official flood watches and warnings.
The cluster guides below break each jurisdiction’s resources out in full.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I contact about flooding in the DMV?
For active emergencies, call 911. For risk information and floodplain questions, contact your jurisdiction's emergency-management agency (DC HSEMA, MDEM, or VDEM) and your state floodplain program (DOEE in DC, MDE in Maryland, DCR in Virginia). For drainage and storm-drain issues, contact your local stormwater or public-works office.
How do I sign up for flood alerts in the DMV?
Each jurisdiction runs an emergency-alert system — AlertDC in the District, Alert Montgomery and similar county systems in Maryland, and local opt-in systems plus VDEM resources in Virginia. The National Weather Service also issues regional flood alerts.
Verify with the official source
Figures and rules on this page summarize public information from the agencies below. Always confirm current details directly with the issuing authority before acting.
More in Local Resources
More guides in this section are being written and reviewed. Check back soon.