Enter any address in Bedford County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event recorded in Bedford County, VA over the last 30 years, with 59 such events documented. Recent examples include flash flooding on August 8, 2024, associated with the remnants of Hurricane Debbie, which caused downed trees and power lines due to strong winds and wet soils. Another flash flood event occurred on September 25, 2024, triggered by a stationary front that focused thunderstorm development.
While flash flooding is common, other flood types have also occurred. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows a mix of flood zones and associated payouts. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths, with one claim averaging $15,031 and 8.0 feet of water. Zone X_UNSHADED also saw significant water depth, averaging 2.5 feet across four claims. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and Zone X_UNSHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
41 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bedford County, Virginia has recorded 82 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 59 flash floods and 22 river or area floods. The county has received 28 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 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 10, 2025 |
| Post-tropical Cyclone Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2021 | 11.00K |
| Flood | Sep 22, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2021 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — May 13, 2025
An upper low positioned over the Tennessee Valley, with numerous shortwaves rotating through it, brought several rounds of showers and thunderstorms to the area for a few days. Surface low pressure over the Midwest also helped to prompt the development of thunderstorms. A plume of moisture pushed northward into the area from the Carolinas, and helped convective initiation, despite some dry air ...
Flash Flood — Sep 25, 2024
A nearly stationary front that extended south from West Virginia into Western Virginia and North Carolina Piedmont served as the focus for thunderstorm development during the afternoon of September 25. Some clearing allowed for an increase in instability, but not quite enough to support widespread severe thunderstorms. Favorable upper level divergence was also present over the area as an upper...
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2024
The remnants of Hurricane Debbie moved north toward the area on August 8th, 2024. A strong southeast flow of wind on the system's northern extent, along with wet soils due to heavy rainfall, helped to cause downed trees and power lines over portions of Virginia. Winds gusted to at least 40 to 45 mph over parts of the region. The strong winds continued into the morning hours of August 9th, 2024....
Flash Flood — Aug 3, 2024
A nearly stationary front across western Virginia, combined with|abundant moisture, helped to generate widespread showers and thunderstorms. A few of the thunderstorms increased to severe levels and produced damaging winds. Rainfall rates in several of the storms ranged from three to locally five inches per hour.
Flood — Jul 23, 2023
An upper level storm system crossed the region during peak heating. The passage of this system aided in the lift needed for thunderstorm development within an already very moist and unstable atmosphere. The environment spawned scattered severe thunderstorms which produced damaging winds. In addition, storms were at times slow-moving, with winds up to 700 mb averaging around 10 knots from the so...
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 Bedford 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 Bedford 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.