Enter any address in Washington County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Washington County, PA. Between 2004 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 143 flash flood events and 72 general flood events. For example, on June 14, 2025, slow-moving thunderstorms produced 2-3 inches of rain per hour in some areas, leading to reports of stranded vehicles and homes experiencing flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $22,336 and an average water depth of 2.7 feet. Properties in Zone X, which includes both shaded and unshaded areas, also have a history of claims, with average payouts ranging from $7,923 to $15,872 and water depths between 0.9 and 1.7 feet.
Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas with unknown flood designations or in Zone X, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
125 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Washington County, Pennsylvania has recorded 215 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 143 flash floods and 72 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Tropical Depression Ivan | Hurricane | Sep 17, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Frances | Severe Storm | Sep 8, 2004 |
| Snow | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 2003 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jan 19, 1996 |
| Blizzard Of 96 | Snowstorm | Jan 6, 1996 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Jan 4, 1994 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2025 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2025 | 50.00K |
Flash Flood — May 30, 2025
Surface low pressure tracked across northern West Virginia on May 30th. One to two inches of rain on relatively wet ground led to an isolated report of flash flooding, with other instances of nuisance flooding likely occurring.
Flash Flood — Jul 26, 2025
A weak trough and remnant outflows initiated afternoon thunderstorms. Initial single cell development across eastern Ohio ultimately congealed along propagating cold pools and surged southeast. A rich moisture environment was in place with 1000-2000 J/kg MLCAPE and near 30 knots of effective shear. The storms rolled into more favorable DCAPE, as high as 1200 J/kg, farther southeast, and repeate...
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2025
A warm, moist airmass remained in place through the latter half of the month which allowed for daily shower and thunderstorm chances. Training storms was the primary factor to the resultant flash flooding as cells developed upshear of the initial updrafts in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. One of these storms did result in yet another round of flash flooding for portions of Wheeling WV.
Flash Flood — Jun 15, 2025
Stationary boundary and near climatological max precpitable water led to another round of showers and thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall on the 15th. With weak steering flow, storms were allowed to train over one another, producing rainfall amounts in the 2-4 inches range in as little as an hour.
Flash Flood — Jun 14, 2025
Ample moisture and a near-stationary boundary assisted in the development of slow moving thunderstorms late on June 14th. Precipitable water values exceeding 90% of climatology, which supported efficient rainfall. Catastrophic flash flooding occurred in portions of Wheeling WV and that complex of storms expanded eastward, dumping 2-3 inches in an hour over portions of Washington county as well....
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 Washington County, Pennsylvania:
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 Washington County, Pennsylvania 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.