Enter any address in Fairfax city, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Fairfax County, VA. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 17 flood events, alongside 7 tropical storm events and 6 flash flood events. For instance, the remnants of Ida in September 2021 produced widespread flooding, with rainfall amounts of 1-5 inches across the area. In August 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias brought 2-4 inches of rain, leading to numerous incidents of flooding and flash flooding, particularly east of Interstate 95.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent claims, with an average payout of $30,955 and an average water depth of 3.1 feet. While Zone X properties have had an equal number of claims, the average payout was significantly lower at $6,767, with an average water depth of -1.8 feet. Properties in Zone V have also seen claims, averaging $11,834 with 0.5 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in areas prone to heavy rainfall and flash flooding, should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Fairfax city, Virginia has recorded 32 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 6 flash floods and 17 river or area floods. The county has received 17 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 |
| 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 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | 15.00K |
| Flood | May 31, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 16, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 27, 2011 | 150.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Apr 16, 2011 | — |
| Flash Flood | Sep 8, 2011 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Sep 6, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 6, 2008 | — |
| Flash Flood | Sep 6, 2008 | 0.00K |
Flood — Sep 1, 2021
The remnants of Ida produced widespread flooding along with instances of flash flooding across the area. Tropical moisture infiltrated the area and there were moderate amounts of instability as well. This combined with the lift provided from the remnants of Ida led to heavy rainfall during this time. Rainfall amounts averaged around 1-3 near and east of Interstate 95, with amounts around 2 to 5...
Tropical Storm — Aug 4, 2020
Tropical Storm Isaias moved up the east coast, passing through southern Maryland on the morning of Tuesday, August 4th, 2020, spawning several tornadoes as well as flooding rain and tropical storm force winds. ||Storm total rainfall ranged from 2 to 4 inches near Interstate 95 to as much as 9 inches in Calvert County east of Interstate 95. The heavy rain led to numerous incidents of flooding an...
Flood — May 31, 2018
Upslope winds on the east side of the Blue Ridge just north of an approaching warm front aided in producing torrential rainfall and catastrophic flooding in parts of Central Virginia. Rainfall amounts of 4-10 inches occurred north and west of Charlottesville. Later in the evening, heavy rain developed in northern Virginia, with 1-3 inches in the southern and western suburbs of Washington DC, as...
Flood — May 16, 2014
A deep upper level trough tapped into Gulf and Atlantic moisture which led to heavy rain across the Mid Atlantic. Tropical-like conditions resulted in showers and thunderstorms to persist before a cold front moved through later in the day.
Tropical Storm — Aug 27, 2011
Hurricane Irene tracked up the Mid-Atlantic Coast during the evening hours of the 27th through the early morning hours of the 28th. Irene passed by just to the east of Ocean City, Maryland during the early morning hours of the 28th. The minimum central pressure was 958 millibars and maximum sustained winds were 80 mph, making Irene a category one hurricane. Irene produced tropical storm conditi...
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 Fairfax city, 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 Fairfax city, 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.