Enter any address in District of Columbia, District of Columbia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving summer thunderstorms dominates the flood character of District of Columbia County, DC, supported by over thirty years of NOAA event records that include 118 flash flood events, 82 flood events, 67 coastal flood events, 3 tropical storm events, and 2 storm surge or tide events.
Recent events highlight this hazard, such as the flash flood on 19-JUL-25, when an unstable, moist atmosphere produced slow-moving thunderstorms with rainfall amounts of one to locally four inches in Northwest, causing rapid rises along the Anacostia River from the Sligo Creek watershed and along Rock Creek from the Rock Creek watershed.
Residents in moderate-to-low risk areas should pay attention to historical claim patterns, as Zone X recorded the highest number of National Flood Insurance Program claims at 338 with an average payout of $11,287 and an average recorded water depth of 22 inches. Additionally, properties in Zone A—which logged 64 claims with a higher average payout of $61,340 and an average water depth of 14 inches—along with unshaded Zone X properties (51 claims, average payout of $14,842, average water depth of 11 inches) and shaded Zone X properties (9 claims, average payout of $45,645, average water depth of 8 inches), indicate that significant flood impacts extend beyond high-risk zones.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
45 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
District of Columbia, District of Columbia has recorded 272 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 118 flash floods and 82 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1989–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer Line Collapse | Other | Jan 19, 2026 |
| 59th Presidential Inauguration | Other | Jan 11, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 28, 2012 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Earthquake | Earthquake | Aug 23, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Severe Storm | Feb 5, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | May 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Mar 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2025
An unstable atmosphere along with plenty of moisture led to the development of showers and thunderstorms. The thunderstorms were slow moving, and trained over the same areas in spots resulting in flash flooding. Rainfall amounts of one to locally four inches were observed in Northwest. Rainfall from the Sligo Creek watershed resulted in a rapid rise along the Anacostia River, while rainfall on ...
Coastal Flood — May 15, 2025
Very heavy rains in the headwaters of the Potomac River in western Maryland in mid May, particularly at Westernport MD lead to excessive runoff on the Potomac River that led to river flooding downstream on the Potomac River.
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms developed early in the afternoon in an anomalously moist airmass along the Chesapeake Bay Breeze and remnant outflow boundaries. These storms remained nearly stationary through the first part of the afternoon producing a quick two to four inches of rain before dissipating.
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2025
An anomalously moist airmass ahead of a frontal boundary sparked numerous showers and thunderstorms across the District of Columbia. Instantaneous rain rates approached five to six inches an hour during the evening, but were transient. Storms still dropped a quick one to two inches in twenty minutes, resulting in flash flooding throughout the District.
Flood — Jan 28, 2024
An area of low pressure moved by to the south during the early morning hours of January 29th bringing a widespread inch and a half to two inches of rain. This resulted in some rivers rising into Minor Flood Stage and several streams overflowing their banks.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in District of Columbia, District of Columbia:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in District of Columbia, District of Columbia that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.