Enter any address in Albemarle County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Albemarle County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 132 flood events and 89 flash flood events, with flash floods resulting in 4 fatalities. For example, on May 13, 2025, slow-moving storms brought prolonged rainfall, with rates exceeding two inches per hour in some areas, leading to localized totals of four to eight inches across the Blue Ridge and lingering flooding into the next day.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $11,882 and an average water depth of 4.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED also show significant claims, averaging $14,871 per payout with an average water depth of 1.3 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_UNSHADED, and those located near waterways or in areas prone to heavy rainfall should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
67 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Albemarle County, Virginia has recorded 221 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 89 flash floods and 132 river or area floods. The county has received 25 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 (1969–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 2, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Earthquake | Earthquake | Aug 23, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 29, 2024 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 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. Localized rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches were observed, with upwards of 5 inches in the most persistent thunderstorms.
Flash Flood — May 13, 2025
A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area. A long duration period of rain ensued, with rain rates exceeding two inches an hour during the afternoon and evening of May 13th. The slow moving storms coupled with training led to localized rainfall totals of four to eight inches across the Blue Ridge, with lesser amounts of two...
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2025
An anomalously moist airmass ahead of a frontal boundary sparked numerous showers and thunderstorms across Virginia. Instantaneous rain rates approached five to six inches an hour in the bigger storms. Storm total rainfall of one and a half to four inches resulted in flooding and flash flooding in areas throughout the evening of July 9th.
Flood — Sep 30, 2024
More heavy rain occurred due to plenty of moisture and lift around the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. The ground was already saturated due to previous rainfall, so this led to more instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Flood — Sep 29, 2024
More heavy rain occurred due to plenty of moisture and lift around the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. The ground was already saturated due to previous rainfall, so this led to more instances of flooding and 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 Albemarle 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 Albemarle 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.