Enter any address in Bath County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood hazard in Bath County. Between 1993 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 27 flash flood events and 12 general flood events. For example, in February 2021, prolonged heavy rain across the northern half of the county resulted in significant rainfall totals. More recently, in June 2021, slow-moving thunderstorms produced intense rainfall rates, causing the Back Creek stream gauge to rise to 10.01 feet, exceeding moderate flood stage.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced claims with an average payout of $11,228 and an average water depth of 6.6 feet. While Zone X has seen fewer claims, homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, particularly those near streams and in low-lying areas, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
22 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bath County, Virginia has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 27 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 4 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 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 23, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 8, 2001 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Feb 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 27, 2018 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Sep 27, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 21, 2018 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Apr 16, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 30, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Feb 28, 2021
Multiple waves of energy passing along a stalled frontal boundary near the Ohio River resulted in several rounds of prolonged and, at times, heavy rain across the northern half of Bath County. In the 48 hour period ending 10 am on the 28th, the northern half of Bath County had already received between 2 to locally 3.25 inches of rainfall from shower and thunderstorm activity. Snow pack prior t...
Flood — Jun 13, 2021
Slow-moving thunderstorms trained across southern Highland County, forming in an environment of CAPE exceeding 2,500 J/Kg and Precipitable Water of around 1.5 inches. The storms produced 2.5 to 4 inches of rainfall amounts over a 2 to 3-hour period, with rainfall rates at times reaching 5 to 6 inches per hour. Steep terrain in the Back Creek basin aided in creating efficient runoff to cause t...
Flash Flood — May 16, 2020
A cluster of thunderstorms developed in the late evening hours of May 16th over parts of Bath County. These slow-moving storms dropped very heavy rain of 2 to 4 inches in just a few hours per radar estimates and rain gages. Some of the 1-hour rainfall amounts exceeded a 100-year recurrence interval (.01 annual chance of occurrence).
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2019
Training of thunderstorms produced 4 to locally 6 inches of rain over a short period of time during the evening of July 15th along a portion of Little Back Creek and a few of its associated tributaries in extreme western Bath County, VA. This resulted in flooding across both Little Back Creek Road and Mountain Valley Road around where they intersect one another, temporarily closing both roads....
Flood — Sep 27, 2018
A slow-moving frontal boundary crossed the mountains and produced 1 to 2.5 inches of rain with the heaviest falling in the 24-hours ending at 12z (700 AM local) on the 28th. 24-hour rain totals were highest across the upper James and Greenbrier river basins. The James River rose above flood stage in the upper reaches and pockets of flooding were reported on smaller streams in these basins.
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 Bath 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 Bath 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.