Enter any address in Brunswick County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Brunswick County, VA. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 28 flash flood events and 3 general flood events. Tropical storms have also impacted the county, with 2 events recorded in the same period, resulting in one fatality.
Recent flash flood events occurred in June 2025, driven by stationary fronts and widespread storms producing locally heavy rain. These events caused flash flooding across portions of central and southeast Virginia.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X have experienced the majority of claims, with an average payout of $4,297 and an average water depth of -0.8 feet. Properties in zones designated as UNKNOWN also had claims, with an average payout of $110 and an average water depth of 0.3 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding and those located in or near areas with a history of claims should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
14 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Brunswick County, Virginia has recorded 33 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 28 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 1 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 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Tropical Storm Michael | Hurricane | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
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 | Jun 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 8, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2025
A stationary front was anchored north of the area in Pennsylvania. Deep moisture was in place to the south of the front with precipitable water values near two inches. Strong surface heating resulted in robust instability with wind shear around 25 knots, allowing for deep, slow moving, convection capable of heavy rainfall and flash flooding during the afternoon and evening hours.
Flash Flood — Jun 15, 2025
A stationary front was located across central Virginia to northeast North Carolina on June 15. This front slowly moved southwest through the afternoon. Widespread storms developed during the afternoon and continued into the evening on June 15. These storms produced locally heavy rain and flash flooding across portions of central and southeast Virginia. Additionally, an isolated storm produced f...
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2025
A moist and unstable air mass was in place from July 14 through July 15. This allowed for widespread, slow-moving storms to move across portions of central, southern, and southeastern Virginia. These storms produced heavy rain and widespread flash flooding in two rounds. One round was from overnight convection on the night of July 14 into the morning of July 15 and the other round was during th...
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2025
An upper-level trough and jet streak approached the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic region on August 6. Despite the cool airmass in place, overrunning precipitation produced occasional moderate to heavy rainfall rates and flash flooding across portions of interior southern Virginia.
Flash Flood — Jul 2, 2025
A stationary front was draped across the Mid-Atlantic early on July 2. In the afternoon, the front slowly advanced southward, serving as a focus for showers and storms through the day. Repeated training of showers and storms led to a significant flood event in rural southern Virginia in the late morning and early afternoon hours. In the late afternoon, a stationary shower produced localized, ur...
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 Brunswick 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 Brunswick 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.