Enter any address in Madison County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving storms is the dominant flood character in Madison County, VA. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 101 flood events and 44 flash flood events, with one recorded fatality. For example, on May 13, 2025, a slow-moving weather system brought prolonged rainfall, with rates exceeding two inches per hour in some areas, leading to localized totals of four to eight inches across the Blue Ridge.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced 10 claims with an average payout of $6,324 and an average water depth of 4.5 feet. While Zone X has fewer claims (2), the average payout is higher at $10,503, with an average water depth of 50 feet. Residents in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay close attention to flood advisories and consider flood insurance.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
52 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Madison County, Virginia has recorded 146 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 44 flash floods and 101 river or area floods. The county has received 24 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 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 2, 2022 |
| 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 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 28, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 22, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 13, 2025
A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area bringing localized heavy rain and a long duration moderate rain event.
Flash Flood — May 13, 2025
A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area. A long duration period of rain ensued, with rain rates exceeding two inches an hour during the afternoon and evening of May 13th. The slow moving storms coupled with training led to localized rainfall totals of four to eight inches across the Blue Ridge, with lesser amounts of two...
Flood — Jul 1, 2025
An area of low pressure moved along a slow moving cold front bringing numerous showers and thunderstorms to Virginia. Multiple rounds of heavy rain occurred throughout the afternoon and evening and into the overnight across portions of central Virginia. Total rainfall amounts of two to five inches were observed where flooding occurred.
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2025
An area of low pressure moved along a slow moving cold front bringing numerous showers and thunderstorms to Virginia. Multiple rounds of heavy rain occurred throughout the afternoon and evening and into the overnight across portions of central Virginia. Total rainfall amounts of two to five inches were observed where flooding occurred.
Flood — Sep 26, 2024
Tropical moisture ahead of Helene combined with a stalled boundary and instability to bring heavy rainfall across central Virginia. This led to instances of flooding and flash flooding.
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 Madison 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 Madison 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.