Enter any address in Richmond city, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates flood events in Richmond city County, VA. The NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 70 flash flood events and 4 flood events over the last 30 years. Recent examples include flash flooding across portions of central and southeast Virginia on June 15, 2025, due to widespread storms, and two rounds of flash flooding on July 15, 2025, caused by a moist and unstable air mass that produced 2-4 inches of rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $25,264 and an average water depth of 3.6 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a significant number of claims, averaging $17,392 in payouts and 2.2 feet of water depth. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and X_SHADED, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
19 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Richmond city, Virginia has recorded 74 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 70 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes Associated W Td Gaston | Severe Storm | Aug 30, 2004 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2025 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2025 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2025
Scattered storms developed along a surface trough and in a hot and humid airmass on June 26. An isolated storm produced minor flash flooding in the City of Richmond in the afternoon hours.
Flash Flood — Sep 20, 2025
Deep moisture ahead of an approaching upper trough resulted in thunderstorms that were efficient rain producers.
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2025
A stationary front was draped north of the region with several embedded disturbances aloft moving across the area, resulting in heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 15, 2025
A stationary front was located across central Virginia to northeast North Carolina on June 15. This front slowly moved southwest through the afternoon. Widespread storms developed during the afternoon and continued into the evening on June 15. These storms produced locally heavy rain and flash flooding across portions of central and southeast Virginia. Additionally, an isolated storm produced f...
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2025
A moist and unstable air mass was in place from July 14 through July 15. This allowed for widespread, slow-moving storms to move across portions of central, southern, and southeastern Virginia. These storms produced heavy rain and widespread flash flooding in two rounds. One round was from overnight convection on the night of July 14 into the morning of July 15 and the other round was during th...
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 Richmond city, 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 Richmond city, 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.