Enter any address in Powhatan County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Powhatan County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 16 flash flood events, alongside 5 general flood events and 1 tropical storm. Recent examples include heavy rain causing flash flooding across portions of the region on January 9, 2024, and nuisance flash flooding due to high rain rates on July 1, 2023.
While most flood insurance claims in Powhatan County are in Zone X, which is considered a moderate flood risk area, these claims still resulted in average payouts of $4,867 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near waterways or in lower-lying terrain, should remain aware of flood risks.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Powhatan County, Virginia has recorded 22 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 5 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 (1969–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 10, 2025 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 2, 2022 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 11, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2006 | — |
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2025
An upper-level trough and cold front progressed from the Great Lakes region into the Mid-Atlantic on July 1. Numerous thunderstorms moved into central Virginia in the afternoon and evening hours. With training storms and very high rain rates, heavy rain led to nuisance flash flooding in some areas.
Flash Flood — Jan 9, 2024
Strong low pressure and an associated cold front moving across the Mid Atlantic Region produced heavy rain which caused flash flooding across portions of central, south central and southeast Virginia.
Flash Flood — May 16, 2023
Scattered thunderstorms along a frontal boundary produced heavy rain which caused flash flooding across portions of central and south central Virginia.
Flood — Nov 12, 2020
Deep tropical moisture streaming northward into the Mid Atlantic region combined with the approach of a cold front and low pressure, produced heavy rain which caused flooding across portions of central and southeast Virginia.
Flood — May 18, 2018
Showers and thunderstorms associated with areas of low pressure along a frontal boundary produced heavy rain which caused lingering flooding across portions of central, south central, and eastern Virginia.
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 Powhatan 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 Powhatan 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.