Enter any address in Halifax County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding in Halifax County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 40 recorded flash flood events, with 2 associated fatalities. Recent examples include widespread flash flooding reported in September 2023 due to Tropical Storm Ophelia, and significant rainfall from Tropical Storm Eta in November 2020, which led to numerous flooding reports.
While flash flooding is common, other flood types have also occurred, including 5 hurricane events and 4 tropical storm events. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A experienced an average payout of $10,454 with an average water depth of 0.6 feet. However, properties in higher-risk zones like Zone X_SHADED and Zone V have seen higher average payouts and water depths, with one claim in Zone V averaging $80,593 with 6.0 feet of water.
Homeowners and real estate agents should pay close attention to flood risk, particularly those in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and Zone V, as these zones have shown a history of claims with varying water depths and financial impacts.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
14 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Halifax County, North Carolina has recorded 51 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 40 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 26 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1988–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 21, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 5, 2024 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Hurricane Isaias | Hurricane | Jul 31, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2019 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2018 |
| Hurricane Matthew | Hurricane | Oct 4, 2016 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 11, 2020 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | 1.00M |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 6, 2019 | 0.50M |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 11, 2018 | 250.00K |
| Flood | Oct 9, 2016 | 73.50M |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 30, 2014 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 23, 2023
Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall across southeastern North Carolina. Ophelia tracked north-northwest into the northern Coastal Plain of central North Carolina by midday, then into eastern Virginia by the early evening hours. Widespread rainfall to the north and west of Ophelia led to numerous flash flood reports in Wake, Wilson, and Halifax Counties during the morning and early afternoon ho...
Flash Flood — Nov 12, 2020
Moisture from Tropical Storm Eta was drawn northward into the Mid Atlantic during the day of Wednesday November 11th. Meanwhile, a slow moving cold front approached the area and made its way through central North Carolina during the day Thursday, resulting in widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms. Rainfall totals were generally in the 4 to 6 inches range, although some spots near Rocky ...
Flash Flood — Nov 11, 2020
Moisture from Tropical Storm Eta was drawn northward into the Mid Atlantic during the day of Wednesday November 11th. Meanwhile, a slow moving cold front approached the area and made its way through central North Carolina during the day Thursday, resulting in widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms. Rainfall totals were generally in the 4 to 6 inches range, although some spots near Rocky ...
Tropical Storm — Aug 4, 2020
Hurricane Isaias made landfall in southeast North Carolina, then moved north through coastal North Carolina. Significant rain fell across the Coastal Plain, Sandhills and eastern Piedmont of North Carolina as Isaias moved northward through the state along with gusty winds up to 50 to 60 miles per hour. Isaias produced two to five inches of rain across much of eastern NC, resulting in flash floo...
Tropical Storm — Sep 6, 2019
Hurricane Dorian moved north and northeastward near and along the coast of North Carolina on September 5th and 6th, with Dorian making landfall along the Outer Banks of North Carolina during the morning of September 6th. Meanwhile, heavy rain and strong damaging winds spread inland and across eastern central North Carolina. Heavy rainfall of 3 to 7 inches produced flash flooding across portions...
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 Halifax County, North Carolina:
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 Halifax County, North Carolina that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages 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.