Enter any address in Russell County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms and general flooding from heavy rainfall are the dominant flood types in Russell County. Recent events include flash flooding in Rosedale during July 2025 due to multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms, and minor flooding along the Clinch River in February 2025 following two days of rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $13,697. While Zone X properties have had fewer claims, the average water depth was higher at 0.4 feet compared to Zone A's -0.2 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X, and areas near rivers or streams should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Russell County, Virginia has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 (1976–2026)
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 |
| Post-tropical Cyclone Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| 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 |
| 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 | Jan 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 13, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 691.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 23, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jan 31, 2025
A strong upper trough over the central plains produced two days of rain over southwest Virginia as it approached and crossed the area. A new stream gage network in Virginia measured minor stream flooding at several sites.
Flash Flood — Jun 27, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms affected the southern Appalachian region on the evening of June 27th, and specifically far western Virginia where flash flooding occurred in Russell and Washington counties.
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms affected Russell county on the 20th. One heavier period of rain during the late afternoon and early evening time frame lead to some flash flooding in the Rosedale area.
Flood — Feb 15, 2025
A strong synoptic system with heavy rainfall during warm front passage followed by additional rainfall during the severe thunderstorms along the cold front led to reports of flooding in northern portions of East Tennessee. Additionally, strong winds powered by strong winds aloft mixed to the surface, bringing wind advisory conditions to the whole area, a few high wind reports, and some wind dam...
Flood — Feb 1, 2025
A strong upper trough over the central plains produced two days of rain over southwest Virginia as it approached and crossed the area between the end of January and first day of February. Minor flooding along the Clinch river occurred as a result, with rises beginning on January 31st but crossing into flood categories on February 1st.
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 Russell 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 Russell 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.