Enter any address in Staunton city, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Staunton city County, VA. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 14 flash flood events and 12 flood events. For example, on August 22, 2020, showers and thunderstorms trained over the same areas, leading to instances of flooding and flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with 39 claims averaging $18,080 and an average water depth of 1.9 feet. Properties in Zone X had 11 claims, averaging $5,680 and 0.4 feet of water depth. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X with a history of claims, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Staunton city, Virginia has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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 (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 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
| Hurricane Fran And Associated Severe Storm Cond | Hurricane | Sep 5, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 22, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 8, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 29, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 25, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2006 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2006 | 10K |
| Flood | Nov 29, 2005 | — |
| Flood | Sep 28, 2004 | — |
Flood — Aug 22, 2020
Plenty of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico combined with a boundary to trigger showers and thunderstorms. A light flow aloft that was nearly unidirectional caused some showers and thunderstorms to train over the same areas, which led to instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Flood — Aug 8, 2020
Slow moving storms developed along a pressure trough in central Virginia, resulting in instances of flooding and flash floodint.
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2020
Slow moving storms developed along a pressure trough in central Virginia, resulting in instances of flooding and flash floodint.
Flash Flood — Jun 16, 2017
A warm front moved northward across the Mid-Atlantic region and southerly flow transported moisture into the region. Breaks in sunshine led to increased instability and showers and thunderstorms formed and produced very heavy rain that led to flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 29, 2015
Heavy rain event as low pressure moved through the Mid-Atlantic ahead of a slow moving cold front. Southerly flow ahead of the low pressure tapped into a moisture rich atmosphere over the Gulf of Mexico. While thunderstorms were isolated due to weaker shear and instability, the heaviest of the precipitation was able to bring down gusty winds from aloft. This also led to flooding across the region.
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 Staunton 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 Staunton 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.