Enter any address in New Kent County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in New Kent County, VA, with 18 recorded instances in the last 30 years. Coastal flooding also occurs, driven by weather systems impacting the Chesapeake Bay. For example, coastal flooding occurred on October 12-13, 2025, due to strong northeast winds, and again on October 1-3, 2025, influenced by distant hurricanes. Localized flash flooding from thunderstorms was reported on May 5, 2025, and August 18, 2024.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims (15) with an average payout of $19,539 and an average water depth of 4.4 feet. Zone X, typically considered moderate to low risk, has also seen significant claims (12) with an average payout of $11,102 and an average water depth of 1.2 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and areas near tidal rivers or the coast, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
New Kent County, Virginia has recorded 29 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Tropical Storm Michael | Hurricane | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Flash Flood | May 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 19, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Oct 12, 2025
A coastal low formed off of the Southeast coast on October 11 and slowly tracked north into October 13 before moving offshore. Meanwhile, a strong 1035mb area of high pressure lingered over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. This resulted in a prolonged period of strong northeast to north winds across the Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters, which allowed for widespread moderate to major coastal floodin...
Flash Flood — May 5, 2025
An occluded low was located over the Ohio Valley with a stationary front across central Virginia on May 5. A cold front gradually moved east during the late afternoon and evening of May 5, allowing for scattered thunderstorms across central and eastern Virginia. These storms produced heavy rain and localized flash flooding.
Coastal Flood — Oct 1, 2025
Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda were located well offshore of the Eastern Seaboard on October 1, with high pressure over the Great Lakes and southern Canada. The combination of elevated winds and long-period swell led to coastal flooding. A few locations along the Virginia tidal rivers reached moderate flood stage from later October 1 into early October 3.
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2024
Scattered thunderstorms in advance of a cold front produced heavy rain which caused flash flooding across portions of central and southeast Virginia.
Flash Flood — Aug 19, 2024
Scattered thunderstorms developed ahead of a secondary cold front moving across Virginia on August 19. These storms produced damaging winds 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 New Kent 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 New Kent 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.