Enter any address in Buchanan County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall is the primary flood hazard in Buchanan County, VA. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA data recorded 44 flash flood events and 21 flood events, resulting in a total of 7 fatalities. Recent events include localized flooding in January 2025 due to over an inch and a half of rainfall, which made local roads impassable. In February 2025, three to five inches of rain fell across portions of the area, contributing to flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A and Zone X have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, which typically represents areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, and Zone X, which includes areas with a 0.2% annual chance of flooding, should pay particular attention to flood risk. Properties in Zone UNKNOWN also represent a significant portion of claims, indicating a need for awareness even when specific flood zone designations are unclear.
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.
Buchanan County, Virginia has recorded 65 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 44 flash floods and 21 river or area floods. The county has received 27 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
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 |
| Flooding And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jul 13, 2022 |
| Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Aug 30, 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jan 31, 2025 | 0.25K |
| Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 5.00M |
| Flash Flood | Feb 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Feb 17, 2023 | 0.25K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 9, 2023 | 1.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2022 | 0.20K |
Flood — Jan 31, 2025
The month of January rounded out with minor flooding issues in southwest Virginia as a low pressure system pressed through the area on the 31st. This disturbance brought ample moisture to the region, which helped produce over an inch and a half of rainfall to Dickenson and Buchanan Counties as a result. Local roads in the counties took the brunt of the impacts from the rain, leading to impassab...
Flood — Feb 15, 2025
Light precipitation entered into southeast Virginia on the evening of February 14th, with more substantial rain spreading across the area overnight into the 15th as a warm front approached from the south. Moderate to heavy rain continued to push overhead for the next 24 hours as low pressure tracked across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Rain turned to snow as cold air moved in behind a cold fr...
Flash Flood — Feb 15, 2025
Light precipitation entered into southeast Virginia on the evening of February 14th, with more substantial rain spreading across the area overnight into the 15th as a warm front approached from the south. Moderate to heavy rain continued to push overhead for the next 24 hours as low pressure tracked across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Rain turned to snow as cold air moved in behind a cold fr...
Flash Flood — Feb 6, 2025
Rain associated with an approaching low pressure system swept through southwest Virginia on the evening of February 6th, resulting in one to two inches of accumulations in the area. This resulted in high water issues around the Hurley area, with local creeks spilling onto the road and making them impassable for a brief period of time. High pressure ventured into the area in the wake of a cold f...
Flash Flood — Jul 24, 2024
Minor street flooding took place in southwest Virginia on July 24th as the result of heavy downpours associated with thunderstorms. Low level moisture was bountiful on this day, allowing evolving thunderstorms to produce enough rainfall in Buchanan County for Dismal Creek to rise out of its banks. This led to a brief period of water spilling onto the adjacent road before returning to its banks ...
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 Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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.