Enter any address in Lexington city, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Lexington city County, VA. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 17 flood and flash flood events, alongside one tropical storm. Recent examples include flash flooding on September 22, 2021, driven by the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicholas and heavy rainfall rates, and a significant storm on December 1, 2010, which produced extremely high precipitable water values.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent claims, with an average payout of $9,066 and an average water depth of 10.6 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have also filed claims, averaging $4,129 with a water depth of 2.2 feet. Residents in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close 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.
Lexington city, Virginia has recorded 18 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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 |
| 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 Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Hurricane Fran And Associated Severe Storm Cond | Hurricane | Sep 5, 1996 |
| Blizzard Of 96 (severe Snow Storm) | Snowstorm | Jan 6, 1996 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 22, 1995 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 25, 2010 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 25, 2010 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 1, 2010 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 30, 2006 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2006 | 3K |
| Flood | Nov 29, 2005 | — |
| Flood | Sep 8, 2004 | — |
| Flood | Feb 22, 2003 | 0K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 18, 2003 | 0K |
Flash Flood — Sep 22, 2021
Deep tropical moisture associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicholas was lifted northward ahead of a strong cold front. Precipitable water values ranging from 1.9 to 2.2 inches were carried into southern Virginia during the evening of the 21st. Warm rain processes produced localized rainfall rates of 2- to 3-inches per hour during the late evening of the 21st into early on the 22nd, ...
Flash Flood — Jan 25, 2010
Abundant rain advanced north into the region in advance of an area of low pressure to the west while a frontal boundary remained draped over the region. An average of 2 to 5 inches of rain fell from this system onto an already saturated ground from recent snow melt and rainfall. The heavy rain contributed to widespread flash flooding, mudslides, areal flooding, and river flooding.
Flash Flood — Dec 1, 2010
A major storm affected the eastern U.S. during the period of November 30 - December 1 as a powerful upper low and surface system moved into the Great Lakes proving an extended period of deep southerly flow across the region. Precipitable water values were extremely high for very early December, running from 1.3 to 1.6 inches or nearly 200 percent of normal. Precipitation developed late on the ...
Flash Flood — Aug 30, 2006
Thunderstorms brought torrential rains to portions of Western Virginia the evening of the 30th. Flash flooding of Snow Creek resulted in two roads being water covered. In Henry County, Blackberry Creek flooded Blackberry Road, one mile south of Bassett. A mudslide occurred in the Tiger Hills section of the city of Lexington. Buffalo Creek flooded in the Collierstown area.
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2006
Furrs Mill Road was closed due to high water. An apartment on Furrs Mill Road was evacuated during the morning of the 26th of June.
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 Lexington city, 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 Lexington city, 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.