Enter any address in Lee County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lee County. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 15 flash flood events and 10 flood events. Recent examples include localized flooding reported on August 2, 2024, and February 15, 2025, associated with severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $19,838 and an average water depth of 3.0 feet. Properties in Zone X also have a history of claims, averaging $6,928 in payouts and 2.3 feet of water depth. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X, and areas with unknown flood risk should pay the most attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lee County, Virginia has recorded 25 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 (1976–2026)
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 |
| 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 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 24, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 4, 2015 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 22, 2012 | 2.00K |
Flood — Feb 15, 2025
A strong synoptic system with heavy rainfall during warm front passage followed by additional rainfall during the severe thunderstorms along the cold front led to reports of flooding in northern portions of East Tennessee. Additionally, strong winds powered by strong winds aloft mixed to the surface, bringing wind advisory conditions to the whole area, a few high wind reports, and some wind dam...
Flash Flood — Feb 15, 2025
A strong synoptic system with heavy rainfall during warm front passage followed by additional rainfall during the severe thunderstorms along the cold front led to reports of flooding in northern portions of East Tennessee. Additionally, strong winds powered by strong winds aloft mixed to the surface, bringing wind advisory conditions to the whole area, a few high wind reports, and some wind dam...
Flash Flood — May 18, 2024
A weak surface trough over the area helped trigger convection over southwestern Virginia.
Flash Flood — Aug 2, 2024
A buoyant environment, ahead of a cold front and an upper low, sparks several rounds of scattered thunderstorms in southwest Virginia. A few instances of damaging winds and localized flooding occurred.
Flash Flood — Mar 28, 2021
Thunderstorms with large hail spread northward across East Tennessee during the early morning hours of March 27, reaching southwest Virginia by late morning. These storms were associated with a warm front, which later stalled across northeast Tennessee. This stalled front was the focus of additional thunderstorms that produced damaging winds and flooding in the evening of March 27 and into Mar...
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 Lee 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 Lee 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.