Enter any address in Hanover County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Hanover County. Between 1996 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 36 flash flood events and 9 flood events. For example, on July 12, 2025, scattered showers and storms produced heavy rain and flooding across the region. Another event on July 19, 2025, was attributed to a stationary front and deep moisture, leading to convection capable of heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data from Hanover County indicate that properties in Zone A have experienced the most significant flood damage, with an average payout of $30,069 and an average water depth of 8.1 feet. While Zone X properties have seen fewer claims, they still incurred average payouts of $3,093. Residents in Zone A, and those in areas with unknown flood zone designations, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hanover County, Virginia has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 36 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 22 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 (1969–2026)
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 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2024 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 29, 2025
An isolated storm produced flash flooding in central Virginia on the evening of June 29.
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2025
Scattered storms developed along a surface trough and in a hot and humid airmass on June 26. An isolated storm produced minor flash flooding in the City of Richmond in the afternoon hours.
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2025
A stationary front was anchored north of the area in Pennsylvania. Deep moisture was in place to the south of the front with precipitable water values near two inches. Strong surface heating resulted in robust instability with wind shear around 25 knots, allowing for deep, slow moving, convection capable of heavy rainfall and flash flooding during the afternoon and evening hours.
Flash Flood — Jul 12, 2025
Scattered showers and storms developed across central and eastern Virginia on July 12 given an unstable air mass in place. These storms were slow-moving and produced heavy rain and flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 29, 2024
Scattered thunderstorms developed and trained along a stationary front draped across central Virginia on the night of August 29. These storms produced heavy rain and flash flooding given slow storm motions and cell mergers. Damaging wind gusts also occurred with the strongest storms.
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 Hanover 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 Hanover 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.