Enter any address in Roanoke County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Roanoke County, with 56 recorded instances in the last 30 years. Other flood events, including general floods and tropical storms, have also occurred. Recent examples include flash flooding on August 21, 2025, caused by intense rainfall rates, and a significant flood event on February 15, 2025, associated with a deep upper-level trough and abundant moisture.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with 358 claims filed. These claims averaged a payout of $12,385 and an average water depth of 2.3 feet. Properties in Zone X also saw a notable number of claims, with 49 claims averaging $8,822 and a higher average water depth of 4.2 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in Zone UNKNOWN, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
50 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Roanoke County, Virginia has recorded 96 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 56 flash floods and 39 river or area floods. The county has received 23 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 (1972–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | 150.00K |
| Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 25, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 21, 2025
A thunderstorm developed over the City of Roanoke just before 6:45 pm EDT on August 21st, initially producing rainfall rates to nearly 5 per hour. Though the storm gradually weakened, it remained anchored over primarily the western half of the city through around 8:15 pm EDT before finally pushing away to the south. While nearly all of the city received at least 2 inches of rain, the highest t...
Flood — Feb 15, 2025
A deep upper level trough was observed exiting the southern Rockies during the morning of February 15th, with southwesterly windflow ahead of the trough allowing for a fetch of deep moisture from the western Gulf of America. This moisture pooled along a warm front situated across from Kentucky into southwest Virginia, where precipitable water values increased from 0.6 to 0.7 inches at 7 am that...
Flash Flood — Feb 15, 2025
A deep upper level trough was observed exiting the southern Rockies during the morning of February 15th, with southwesterly windflow ahead of the trough allowing for a fetch of deep moisture from the western Gulf of America. This moisture pooled along a warm front situated across from Kentucky into southwest Virginia, where precipitable water values increased from 0.6 to 0.7 inches at 7 am that...
Flood — Jun 17, 2024
Intensifying high pressure suppressed an otherwise favorable convective environment. Strong daytime heating and southeasterly moisture advection off the Atlantic Ocean overcame the ridging to produce scattered showers and an isolated thunderstorm which caused wind damage in Bedford County. In Roanoke, one storm passed across the city, producing a brief period of rain with rate in excess of 3 i...
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2024
The remnants of Hurricane Debbie moved north toward the area on August 8th, 2024. A strong southeast flow of wind on the system's northern extent, along with wet soils due to heavy rainfall, helped to cause downed trees and power lines over portions of Virginia. Winds gusted to at least 40 to 45 mph over parts of the region. The strong winds continued into the morning hours of August 9th, 2024....
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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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.