Enter any address in Richmond County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event recorded in Richmond County over the past 30 years, with 51 occurrences. Other flood types include general floods (11), coastal floods (8), tropical storms (1), and hurricanes (1). Recent events include coastal flooding in October 2025, driven by strong northeast winds, and flash flooding in July 2025 due to slow-moving thunderstorms with heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $24,201 and an average water depth of 2.3 feet. Properties in Zone A also show a significant number of claims. Residents in coastal areas, as well as those near rivers and streams, should be particularly aware of flood risks.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Richmond County, Virginia has recorded 72 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 51 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 24 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Aug 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | May 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Flood | Mar 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 29, 2025
An isolated storm produced flash flooding in central Virginia on the evening of June 29.
Coastal Flood — Oct 28, 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.
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2025
A weak frontal boundary sagged south toward the area during the afternoon/evening. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms initially developed to the north (near that boundary) and also to the west along higher terrain. The environment ahead of the boundary was characterized by very weak deep-layer flow and anomalously high PW values on the order of 2.1-2.2, leading to slow-moving storms with very ...
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 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 Richmond 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.