Enter any address in Franklin County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding events are the most common type of flooding recorded in Franklin County, VA over the past 30 years, with 94 occurrences. This is followed by general flood events (34) and two tropical storm events. Recent events include flash flooding on August 8, 2024, associated with the remnants of Hurricane Debbie, which caused downed trees and power lines due to heavy rainfall and strong winds. Another flood event occurred on January 9, 2024, driven by a weather system bringing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with 21 claims averaging $26,049 and an average water depth of 2.1 feet. Properties in Zone X have also had claims, with 8 claims averaging $4,316 and an average water depth of 23.8 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
71 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Franklin County, Virginia has recorded 130 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 94 flash floods and 34 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 3 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 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 15.00K |
| Flood | May 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 21, 2022 | 1.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jan 9, 2024
A deep, negatively tilted upper level trough and associated occluded front passed from the central Mississippi River Valley on January 9th toward the lower New England region by the morning of the 10th. Strong southerly wind flow ahead of the upper trough carried deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico northward into the Carolinas and the lower Mid-Atlantic. Precipitable water values ranged fro...
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2024
The remnants of Hurricane Debbie moved north toward the area on August 8th, 2024. A strong southeast flow of wind on the system's northern extent, along with wet soils due to heavy rainfall, helped to cause downed trees and power lines over portions of Virginia. Winds gusted to at least 40 to 45 mph over parts of the region. The strong winds continued into the morning hours of August 9th, 2024....
Flood — Aug 8, 2024
The remnants of Hurricane Debbie moved north toward the area on August 8th, 2024. A strong southeast flow of wind on the system's northern extent, along with wet soils due to heavy rainfall, helped to cause downed trees and power lines over portions of Virginia. Winds gusted to at least 40 to 45 mph over parts of the region. The strong winds continued into the morning hours of August 9th, 2024....
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 — Aug 21, 2022
A warm front, drifting northward from the Carolinas across the lower Mid-Atlantic, triggered scattered thunderstorms with heavy rain. Strong heating during the afternoon supported surface-based CAPE values rising into the 2,000 to 2,500 J/Kg range, while precipitable water values ranged from around 1.5 inches along the Blue Ridge to in excess of 1.8 inches across the central Piedmont of Virgin...
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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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.