Enter any address in Louisa County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates the flood character of Louisa County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 15 flash flood events and 7 general flood events. Recent examples include heavy rain leading to nuisance flash flooding on July 1, 2025, and scattered thunderstorms producing flash flooding on August 29, 2024.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that while Zone X areas have seen more claims (3), Zone A areas have experienced significantly deeper water (average 38.0 ft) and higher average payouts ($33,351) compared to Zone X ($1,042 payout, 0.0 ft water depth). Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, particularly those near rivers or in low-lying areas, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Louisa County, Virginia has recorded 22 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 25 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 (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 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 31, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 20, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2025
A short wave trough aloft approached the Mid-Atlantic from the west on July 9. Strong thunderstorms formed during the afternoon and evening with gusty winds and heavy rainfall.
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2025
An upper-level trough and cold front progressed from the Great Lakes region into the Mid-Atlantic on July 1. Numerous thunderstorms moved into central Virginia in the afternoon and evening hours. With training storms and very high rain rates, heavy rain led to nuisance flash flooding in some areas.
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.
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2023
Scattered thunderstorms associated with a surface trough of low pressure produced heavy rain which caused flash flooding across portions of central Virginia.
Flood — Nov 12, 2020
Deep tropical moisture streaming northward into the Mid Atlantic region combined with the approach of a cold front and low pressure, produced heavy rain which caused flooding across portions of central 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 Louisa 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 Louisa 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.