Enter any address in Prince William County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Prince William County. Between 1996 and 2026, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 182 flood events and 84 flash flood events. For example, on May 13, 2025, prolonged rainfall led to flooding that lingered into the next morning. Similarly, on June 26, 2025, slow-moving thunderstorms produced localized rainfall rates of two to four inches per hour, resulting in flash flooding that continued into June 27th.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $18,217 and an average water depth of 3.2 feet. Properties in Zone X also saw a significant number of claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone X_SHADED should note the highest average payout and water depth recorded in the claims data, despite fewer claims. Residents in all flood zones, particularly those in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED, should be aware of their specific flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
83 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Prince William County, Virginia has recorded 267 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 84 flash floods and 182 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| The Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Severe Storm | Sep 8, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 27, 2025
A slow moving area of low pressure spawned showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours of June 26th. These thunderstorms were slow moving and produced localized rainfall amounts of two to four inches in an hour or two, which resulted in flash flooding. Another round of showers and thunderstorms developed late in the overnight and into the morning of June 27th bringing addit...
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2025
A slow moving area of low pressure spawned showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours of June 26th. These thunderstorms were slow moving and produced localized rainfall amounts of two to four inches in an hour or two, which resulted in flash flooding. Another round of showers and thunderstorms developed late in the overnight and into the morning of June 27th bringing addit...
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2025
An anomalously moist airmass with tropical moisture resided over much of Virginia on July 16th. This comes after several days of showers and thunderstorms, which left some areas with suppressed flash flood guidance. Slow moving thunderstorms developed on remnant boundaries and terrain circulations before propagating eastward. These storms produced localized rainfall amounts of two to five inches.
Flood — May 15, 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.
Flood — Jun 15, 2025
Slow moving showers and thunderstorms caused localized flooding across portions of Virginia during the afternoon and evening of June 15, 2025. These showers and thunderstorms were in association with a vigorous upper level shortwave trough and quasi-stationary boundary meandering over the area. A general two to four inches of rain fell across areas where flooding occurred.
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 Prince William 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 Prince William 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.