Enter any address in Floyd County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates Floyd County's flood risk profile. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 21 flash flood events and 5 general flood events, with one tropical storm also impacting the area. Recent examples include flash flooding on May 29, 2023, and June 20, 2023, both associated with deep moisture and upper-level low-pressure systems.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A experienced 10 claims with an average payout of $38,962 and an average water depth of 7.4 feet. Properties in Zone X, typically considered moderate flood risk, had 4 claims with an average payout of $24,612 and an average water depth of 8.5 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near streams and in lower-lying areas, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
21 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Floyd County, Virginia has recorded 27 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 21 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 22 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 Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 10, 2025 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | 1.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2020 | 7.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2020 | 7.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 13, 2020 | 39.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2018 | 28.90K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 11, 2018 | 129.20K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 11, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 29, 2023
A deep, closed upper level low pressure system was observed over central Alabama on the morning of May 28th. The east winds around this low, allowed deep sub-tropical moisture from the Atlantic to move into lower Mid-Atlantic region. Areas of rain developed across the mountains by late morning, and gradually increased in coverage due to the sustained 25 to 30 knot (850mb) moisture inflow. Preci...
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2023
A stacked upper level low pressure system drifted from the Ohio River Valley to eastern Kentucky during the early morning hours of the 20th. South-southeasterly windflow around the low was efficient in transporting deep moisture into the area from the coastal Carolinas, allowing precipitable water values to rise into the 1.5 to 1.7 inch range along the crest of the Blue Ridge in Virginia south ...
Tropical Storm — Oct 29, 2020
Winds associated with Tropical Storm Zeta caused damage and power outages in southwestern Virginia, concentrated close to border with North Carolina. Wind gusts reached 30-40 knots during the peak of the storm. Numerous trees were blown down by Tropical Storm Zeta, with many falling on homes, power lines, and blocking roadways. A thunderstorm closely following Zeta contributed to some of the wi...
Flood — May 21, 2020
An upper-level low became cut-off over the southern Appalachian region for several days leading to persistent rainfall and eventually some flooding. Four-day (96-hour) rainfall amounts ending at 800 AM EDT on May 22nd ranged from 3 to over 12 inches in the most favored locations. Some of the 11-inch+, 4-day rain totals in Roanoke County were within the 200-year recurrence interval (9.78 to 11.8...
Flood — May 20, 2020
An upper-level low became cut-off over the southern Appalachian region for several days leading to persistent rainfall and eventually some flooding. Four-day (96-hour) rainfall amounts ending at 800 AM EDT on May 22nd ranged from 3 to over 12 inches in the most favored locations. Some of the 11-inch+, 4-day rain totals in Roanoke County were within the 200-year recurrence interval (9.78 to 11.8...
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 Floyd 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 Floyd 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.