Enter any address in Northampton County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding is the most frequent flood event in Northampton County, VA, with 46 recorded instances in the last 30 years. This is often driven by strong northeasterly winds across the Chesapeake Bay, as seen in events on October 12, 2025, and September 16, 2025, which caused widespread moderate to major flooding. Flash flooding from heavy rainfall also occurs, with 10 events recorded in the same period, sometimes exacerbated by high tides.
Homeowners in Zone A and Zone V, as designated by FEMA, should pay particular attention to flood risk. Zone A properties have experienced numerous National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims with an average payout of $7,987 and an average water depth of 0.7 feet. Zone V properties, while fewer in number of claims, have seen higher average payouts of $18,736 with an average water depth of 1.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X have also incurred claims, indicating flood risk beyond the most commonly recognized high-risk zones.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
30 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Northampton County, Virginia has recorded 74 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 1 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 |
| Tropical Storm Michael | Hurricane | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Earthquake | Earthquake | Aug 23, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Ida And A Nor'east | Severe Storm | Nov 11, 2009 |
| Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 29, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Oct 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | May 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 16, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 10, 2025 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Oct 28, 2025
Low pressure off the Mid-Atlantic coast combined with high pressure in Canada, resulting in a lengthy period of northeasterly onshore flow. Increasing tidal anomalies resulted in moderate to locally major tidal flooding over an extended period.
Coastal Flood — May 22, 2025
An area of low pressure occluded over the Ohio Valley on May 21 into May 22. This allowed for a period of elevated onshore flow which led to moderate coastal flooding across portions of eastern Virginia along both sides of the Chesapeake Bay on May 21 and 22.
Coastal Flood — Aug 21, 2025
Hurricane Erin passed well offshore and combined with high pressure to the north, resulting in a period of strong onshore winds and coastal flooding across eastern Virginia and the Virginia Eastern Shore.
Flash Flood — Aug 19, 2025
A weak trough aloft and weak surface low were located in the vicinity of southeast Virginia on August 19. Moist, easterly flow led to widespread showers with localized higher rainfall rates; the slow-moving showers on the Virginia Eastern Shore produced areas of flash flooding in the morning hours.
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2025
An area of low pressure brought gusty winds and heavy rainfall to southeast Virginia and the Virginia Eastern Shore on September 16. Multiple bands of heavy rainfall rotated inland as the low approached the coast from the late morning into the evening hours, with widespread reports of flooding throughout the region during the day. Higher-than-normal high tide cycles also exacerbated impacts fro...
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 Northampton 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 Northampton 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.