Enter any address in Orange County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flood events, including flash floods, are the most frequent type of severe weather in Orange County, VA, with 99 flood events and 34 flash flood events recorded over the last 30 years. For example, a slow-moving weather system in May 2025 brought prolonged rainfall, with rates exceeding two inches per hour in some areas, leading to localized totals of four to eight inches and lingering flooding into the next day.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced deeper flooding, averaging 5.7 feet, and higher average payouts of $47,096, compared to Zone X properties which saw an average of 0.2 feet of water and $8,130 in payouts. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near rivers and streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
43 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Orange County, Virginia has recorded 134 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 34 flash floods and 99 river or area floods. The county has received 22 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 (1972–2026)
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 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Earthquake | Earthquake | Aug 23, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 28, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2025
An unstable atmosphere along with plenty of moisture led to the development of showers and thunderstorms. The thunderstorms were slow moving, and trained over the same areas in spots resulting in flash flooding. Localized rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches were observed, with upwards of 5 inches in the most persistent thunderstorms.
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2025
An anomalously moist tropical airmass resided over Virginia bringing numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Thunderstorms trained over portions of central Virginia bringing rainfall amounts of two to locally six inches. This resulted in instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 14, 2025
Underneath an upper level low, slow moving thunderstorms trained over central Virginia producing a quick one to three inches of rain resulting in flash flooding. This comes a day after a few inches of rain had just fallen.
Flood — May 14, 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 — Jun 14, 2025
A weak area of low pressure interacted with an anomalously moist airmass and stalled frontal boundary. This spawned showers and thunderstorms that resulted in localized amounts of one to five inches of rain. The higher amounts were where storms trained or stalled.
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 Orange 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 Orange 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.