Enter any address in Waynesboro city, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and flash flooding have been the dominant flood types in Waynesboro city County over the last 30 years. Recent events include flooding in September 2024, attributed to heavy rain and saturated ground, and localized flooding in July 2018 following an isolated thunderstorm.
National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average water depth of 5.2 feet. However, Zone X_SHADED properties have seen higher average payouts, suggesting significant damage despite lower water depths. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Waynesboro city, Virginia has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 8 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 15 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 |
| 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 Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| 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 | Sep 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 11, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 5, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 29, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 16, 2011 | 0.00K (2 deaths) |
| Flood | Dec 7, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2006 | — |
| Flood | Nov 29, 2005 | — |
Flood — Sep 30, 2024
More heavy rain occurred due to plenty of moisture and lift around the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. The ground was already saturated due to previous rainfall, so this led to more instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Flood — Sep 27, 2024
Heavy rain due to tropical moisture and enhanced lift around the Blue Ridge Mountains caused excess water to runoff into the south Fork of the Shenandoah River. This led to flooding around Waynesboro. Additional flooding took place on the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains across Albemarle County as well as northern Nelson County.
Flood — Jul 11, 2018
An isolated thunderstorm produced over an inch of rain in the City of Waynesboro during the evening of July 11th, causing localized flooding.
Flood — May 5, 2017
Low pressure was located across the Tennessee Valley while a strong low level jet transported moisture into the Mid-Atlantic. Showers and thunderstorms led to heavy rain across northern and central Virginia leading to scattered flooding mainly from rivers and creeks over flowing.
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 Waynesboro 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 Waynesboro 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.