Enter any address in Northumberland County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding is the dominant flood character in Northumberland County, VA. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 31 recorded instances of coastal flooding, significantly more than flash floods (16) or tropical storms (6). Recent events include coastal flooding on October 12, 2025, caused by strong northeast winds, and on October 1, 2025, driven by elevated winds and long-period swell.
FEMA data indicates that properties in Zone A and Zone V have experienced the most National Flood Insurance Program claims. Zone A properties have averaged 205 claims with payouts around $19,807 and water depths of 1.7 feet. Zone V properties, while fewer in number, have seen higher average payouts of $10,265 and significantly deeper water, averaging 4.1 feet. Homeowners in coastal areas, particularly those in Zone A and Zone V, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
22 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Northumberland County, Virginia has recorded 59 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 4 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 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 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 29, 2006 |
| 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 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Aug 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | May 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Mar 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2024 | 60.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Oct 29, 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 — Aug 22, 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.
Coastal Flood — May 21, 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 — 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...
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.
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 Northumberland 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 Northumberland 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.