Enter any address in Botetourt County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Botetourt County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 43 flash flood events and 34 flood events. For example, a flash flood event occurred in June 2025 when multiple thunderstorm cells trained over the Catawba Creek basin. Another flash flood event in July 2025 was attributed to a hot and humid air mass combined with orographical lift.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $14,244 and an average water depth of 9.7 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED also show a notable number of claims with an average payout of $17,664 and an average water depth of 9.3 feet. Homeowners in Zone X_SHADED have experienced fewer claims but with a higher average water depth of 27.1 feet. Residents in or near areas designated as Zone A, Zone X_UNSHADED, and Zone X_SHADED should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
40 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Botetourt County, Virginia has recorded 78 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 43 flash floods and 34 river or area floods. The county has received 24 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 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2025 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 25, 2022 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2021 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2021 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Sep 22, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2020 | 13.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2025
A hot and humid air mass combined with orographical lift to produce isolated severe thunderstorms across southwest Virginia. Damaging wind gusts from these storms blew down a few trees, and lightning from one of these storms struck a house and set it on fire in Bedford County.
Flash Flood — Jun 16, 2025
A line of thunderstorms developed over eastern Craig County at around 4:00 PM EDT and quickly spread eastward over the Catawba Creek basin in neighboring Botetourt County. Multiple cells trained over this area through around 6:45 PM EDT before exiting to the south. These storms formed along a stationary front situated across central Virginia. Convergence along the front provided focus for init...
Flash Flood — Jun 15, 2025
A stalled frontal boundary located in southern Virginia interacted with a very unstable environment to produce severe thunderstorms in south-central Virginia. The thunderstorm winds from these storms caused tree and power line damage. Moisture was abundant across the area, with precipitable water values observed at between 1.7 and 1.9 inches. Storms were progressive however, and observed movi...
Flood — Jun 15, 2025
A stalled frontal boundary located in southern Virginia interacted with a very unstable environment to produce severe thunderstorms in south-central Virginia. The thunderstorm winds from these storms caused tree and power line damage. Moisture was abundant across the area, with precipitable water values observed at between 1.7 and 1.9 inches. Storms were progressive however, and observed movi...
Flood — Aug 25, 2022
High pressure was established across the lower Mid-Atlantic during the evening of August 25th, allowing for only widely-scattered showers and thunderstorm development, mainly confined along and west of the Blue Ridge. Wind speeds in the lower levels of the atmosphere were generally less than 10 mph from the northwest, supporting only very slow movement of the convection. Dry air associated wi...
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 Botetourt 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 Botetourt 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.