Enter any address in Gloucester County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding, driven by strong winds from the Chesapeake Bay, is the most frequent flood event in Gloucester County, VA, with 10 such events recorded in the last 30 years. Recent examples include moderate coastal flooding reported on November 15, 2024, following a low-pressure system moving offshore, and widespread moderate to major coastal flooding on October 12-13, 2025, due to prolonged northeast to north winds.
Additionally, the county has experienced 11 instances of inland flooding, including tropical storms and flash floods, such as widespread heavy rain and flooding across portions of eastern Virginia on July 20, 2024. National Flood Insurance Program data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $20,327 and water depths of 2.3 feet. Homeowners in Zone V, which has seen fewer but more costly claims with average water depths of 5.8 feet, and those in Zone A, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Gloucester County, Virginia has recorded 29 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 5 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 18 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 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 29, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
| Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations | Hurricane | Sep 13, 1999 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Nov 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Jul 8, 2021 | 15.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | 150.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 5, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Oct 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 2, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 2, 2015 | 30.00K |
Coastal Flood — Oct 12, 2025
A coastal low formed off of the Southeast coast on October 11 and slowly tracked north into October 13 before moving offshore. Meanwhile, a strong 1035mb area of high pressure lingered over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. This resulted in a prolonged period of strong northeast to north winds across the Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters, which allowed for widespread moderate to major coastal floodin...
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2024
A stationary front remained draped across the southern Virginia border through the day on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, a weak surface low developed along the front during the afternoon before moving offshore by the early evening. A very moist air mass was in place with dew points generally in the mid to upper 70s. The result was widespread heavy rain and flooding across portions of central and eas...
Coastal Flood — Nov 15, 2024
An area of low pressure moved across the Outer Banks and out to sea on the night of November 14 into November 15. Winds became northeast ahead of the low and northwest behind the low as it moved offshore on November 15. The result was a surge of water from the Chesapeake Bay with moderate coastal flooding reported across several areas.
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2022
Scattered showers and thunderstorms associated with low pressure moving along a frontal boundary produced heavy rain which caused flash flooding across portions of the Virginia Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.
Tropical Storm — Jul 8, 2021
The center of Tropical Storm Elsa tracked north just inland of the Middle Atlantic Coast from Thursday morning through Thursday night, July 8th. The Tropical Storm produced tropical storm force winds and associated wind damage across portions of eastern and southeast Virginia.
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 Gloucester 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 Gloucester 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.