Enter any address in Accomack County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from localized heavy rainfall is the most frequent flood event in Accomack County, with 23 recorded instances in the last 30 years. Coastal flooding is also a significant concern, with 19 events documented. Recent examples include flash flooding on August 19, 2025, caused by slow-moving showers, and widespread coastal flooding on October 12-13, 2025, driven by prolonged northeast winds.
The National Flood Insurance Program data shows a substantial number of claims in Zone A, indicating areas with higher flood risk. Properties in Zone V, which are coastal areas subject to wave action, also have a notable number of claims, though with a lower average water depth. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED, should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
23 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Accomack County, Virginia has recorded 57 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 23 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 29, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Jan 25, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Oct 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | 60.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 22, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 3, 2022 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Oct 29, 2025
Low pressure off the Mid-Atlantic coast combined with high pressure in Canada, resulting in a lengthy period of northeasterly onshore flow. Increasing tidal anomalies resulted in moderate to locally major tidal flooding over an extended period.
Coastal Flood — Aug 21, 2025
Hurricane Erin passed well offshore and combined with high pressure to the north, resulting in a period of strong onshore winds and coastal flooding across eastern Virginia and the Virginia Eastern Shore.
Flash Flood — Aug 19, 2025
A weak trough aloft and weak surface low were located in the vicinity of southeast Virginia on August 19. Moist, easterly flow led to widespread showers with localized higher rainfall rates; the slow-moving showers on the Virginia Eastern Shore produced areas of flash flooding in the morning hours.
Coastal Flood — Oct 12, 2025
A coastal low formed off of the Southeast coast on October 11 and slowly tracked north into October 13 before moving offshore. Meanwhile, a strong 1035mb area of high pressure lingered over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. This resulted in a prolonged period of strong northeast to north winds across the Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters, which allowed for widespread moderate to major coastal floodin...
Flash Flood — Jul 10, 2025
A warm and very moist air mass was in place across the region on July 10. Thunderstorms with heavy rainfall formed in the afternoon across the area with several instances of flash flooding.
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 Accomack County, Virginia:
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 Accomack County, Virginia 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.