Hurricane Risk for Ocean City, MD
No tropical storms currently threaten the Ocean City area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1851, 166 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Ocean City. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Chantal (2025)
Passed within 56 miles of Ocean City on July 07, 2025. Peak intensity: TS (57 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Unnamed (1935)
Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 61 miles of Ocean City.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1944)
Passed just 7.0 miles from Ocean City on October 21, 1944.
When hurricanes hit Ocean City
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Ocean City residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 23 mi | Jul 09, 2021 |
| Ida | 2021 | Cat 4 | 102 mi | Sep 02, 2021 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 105 mi | Aug 04, 2020 |
| Zeta | 2020 | Cat 3 | 174 mi | Oct 29, 2020 |
| Dorian | 2019 | Cat 5 | 169 mi | Sep 06, 2019 |
| Michael | 2018 | Cat 5 | 75 mi | Oct 12, 2018 |
| Hermine | 2016 | Cat 1 | 150 mi | Sep 07, 2016 |
| Arthur | 2014 | Cat 2 | 115 mi | Jul 04, 2014 |
| Sandy | 2012 | Cat 3 | 65 mi | Oct 29, 2012 |
| Irene | 2011 | Cat 3 | 20 mi | Aug 28, 2011 |
| Earl | 2010 | Cat 4 | 166 mi | Sep 03, 2010 |
| Hanna | 2008 | Cat 1 | 97 mi | Sep 06, 2008 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 89 mi | Sep 02, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Ocean City is in Worcester County — look up your evacuation zone here.
- Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.