Enter any address in Culpeper County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Culpeper County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 101 flood events and 55 flash flood events, resulting in 4 reported deaths. For example, in July 2025, thunderstorms brought two to six inches of rain to portions of central Virginia, causing instances of flooding and flash flooding. Another event in June 2025 saw localized flooding from slow-moving showers and thunderstorms that dropped two to four inches of rain.
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data for Culpeper County indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced an average of 2.7 feet of water depth with an average claim payout of $19,759. Properties in Zone X have seen an average water depth of 19.7 feet with an average payout of $12,871, while properties in Zone UNKNOWN had an average water depth of 0.6 feet and an average payout of $2,945. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those with properties experiencing significant water depth as seen in Zone X claims, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
56 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Culpeper County, Virginia has recorded 157 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 55 flash floods and 101 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 2 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 Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 2, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Earthquake | Earthquake | Aug 23, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 22, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 10, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jul 18, 2025
An anomalously moist tropical airmass resided over Virginia bringing numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Thunderstorms trained over portions of central Virginia bringing rainfall amounts of two to locally six inches. This resulted in instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2025
An anomalously moist tropical airmass resided over Virginia bringing numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Thunderstorms trained over portions of central Virginia bringing rainfall amounts of two to locally six inches. This resulted in instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Flood — Jun 15, 2025
Slow moving showers and thunderstorms caused localized flooding across portions of Virginia during the afternoon and evening of June 15, 2025. These showers and thunderstorms were in association with a vigorous upper level shortwave trough and quasi-stationary boundary meandering over the area. A general two to four inches of rain fell across areas where flooding occurred.
Flood — May 14, 2025
A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area bringing localized heavy rain and a long duration moderate rain event.
Flash Flood — Jun 14, 2025
A weak area of low pressure interacted with an anomalously moist airmass and stalled frontal boundary. This spawned showers and thunderstorms that resulted in localized amounts of one to five inches of rain. The higher amounts were where storms trained or stalled.
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 Culpeper 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 Culpeper 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.