Enter any address in Isle of Wight County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event recorded in Isle of Wight County over the last 30 years, with 36 occurrences. Coastal flooding is also a notable risk, with 10 events recorded in the same period, including instances in October 2025 and September 2025. These coastal flood events were associated with strong northeast to north winds and lingering coastal lows, leading to widespread flooding along tidal rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths, with an average payout of $39,847 and an average water depth of 3.0 feet. Zone X properties, while more numerous in claims, saw lower average payouts and water depths. Residents in coastal areas, those near tidal rivers, and properties located in flood zones with lower Base Flood Elevations (BFE) should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Isle of Wight County, Virginia has recorded 62 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 20 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 |
| Hurricane Matthew | Hurricane | Oct 7, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Ida And A Nor'east | Severe Storm | Nov 11, 2009 |
| Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 29, 2006 |
| 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 | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 16, 2025 | — |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2025
A front was located north of the region and gradually moved south in response to an approaching mid level disturbance. To the south of the front, robust heating of a moist low level airmass resulted in increasing instability by the afternoon and evening hours. Strong, slow moving, convection resulted in areas of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding during the late afternoon and even...
Coastal Flood — Oct 28, 2025
Low pressure off the Mid-Atlantic coast combined with high pressure in Canada, resulting in a lengthy period of northeasterly onshore flow. Increasing tidal anomalies resulted in moderate to locally major tidal flooding over an extended period.
Coastal Flood — Aug 21, 2025
Hurricane Erin passed well offshore and combined with high pressure to the north, resulting in a period of strong onshore winds and coastal flooding across eastern Virginia and the Virginia Eastern Shore.
Coastal Flood — Sep 16, 2025
A coastal low lingered near the North Carolina and Virginia coastline on September 16, slowly moving northwest into the Chesapeake Bay by the evening of September 16. This low brought a prolonged period of elevated northerly winds across the Chesapeake Bay, resulting in widespread moderate to locally major coastal flooding across portions of eastern Virginia.
Flash Flood — May 14, 2025
A broad trough was in place across the eastern CONUS, resulting in isolated afternoon and evening storms with locally heavy rainfall.
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 Isle of Wight 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 Isle of Wight 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.