Enter any address in Stafford County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Stafford County, VA, with 78 flood events and 33 flash flood events recorded in the last 30 years. Recent examples include localized flooding from one to five inches of rain on June 14, 2025, and flash flooding across central Virginia on July 1, 2023, due to slow-moving thunderstorms. Widespread rainfall also caused creeks and rivers to reach flood stage, leading to road closures, as seen on December 18, 2023.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that Zone A properties have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $11,818 and an average water depth of 8.9 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have had fewer claims but higher average payouts and water depths, with an average of $11,270 and 14.2 feet of water. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X_SHADED, as well as those located near creeks, streams, and rivers, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Stafford County, Virginia has recorded 117 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 33 flash floods and 78 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 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 2, 2022 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 20, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 11, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | 8.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 14, 2025
A weak area of low pressure interacted with an anomalously moist airmass and stalled frontal boundary. This spawned showers and thunderstorms that resulted in localized amounts of one to five inches of rain. The higher amounts were where storms trained or stalled.
Flood — Dec 18, 2023
An area of low pressure moved along the Atlantic seaboard bringing widespread rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 4 inches. This resulted in numerous creeks, streams, and rivers reaching minor to moderate flood stage. Numerous roads were closed in areas as well.
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2023
Showers and thunderstorms developed around a surface trough on the afternoon and evening. Slow moving thunderstorms led to some instances of flash flooding across central Virginia.
Flood — Oct 29, 2021
Slow moving low pressure and its associated warm front caused rain to overspread the area. Subtropical moisture was wrapped into this system, which led to instances of heavy rain and flooding.
Flood — Aug 20, 2021
A weak boundary tapped into plenty of moisture and instability for showers and thunderstorms. Weak winds aloft caused slow moving storms, which led to instance of flooding and flash flooding.
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 Stafford 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 Stafford 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.