Enter any address in Williamsburg city, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding is the dominant flood character in Williamsburg city County, VA. Between 2004 and 2034, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 17 coastal flood events, alongside 4 hurricanes and 3 tropical storms. For example, on October 12-13, 2025, strong northeast winds caused widespread moderate to major coastal flooding. Earlier, on October 1, 2025, elevated winds and long-period swell contributed to coastal flooding along Virginia tidal rivers.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone V and Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths. Zone A properties also show a history of claims, though with lower average payouts and water depth. Residents in coastal areas, as well as those in Zone A, V, and X_UNSHADED, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Williamsburg city, Virginia has recorded 29 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 2 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Jan 25, 2000 |
| Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations | Hurricane | Sep 13, 1999 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Nov 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 27, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 30, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | May 8, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 3, 2022 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Oct 12, 2025
A coastal low formed off of the Southeast coast on October 11 and slowly tracked north into October 13 before moving offshore. Meanwhile, a strong 1035mb area of high pressure lingered over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. This resulted in a prolonged period of strong northeast to north winds across the Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters, which allowed for widespread moderate to major coastal floodin...
Coastal Flood — Oct 1, 2025
Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda were located well offshore of the Eastern Seaboard on October 1, with high pressure over the Great Lakes and southern Canada. The combination of elevated winds and long-period swell led to coastal flooding. A few locations along the Virginia tidal rivers reached moderate flood stage from later October 1 into early October 3.
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2024
A stationary front remained draped across the southern Virginia border through the day on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, a weak surface low developed along the front during the afternoon before moving offshore by the early evening. A very moist air mass was in place with dew points generally in the mid to upper 70s. The result was widespread heavy rain and flooding across portions of central and eas...
Coastal Flood — Nov 15, 2024
An area of low pressure moved across the Outer Banks and out to sea on the night of November 14 into November 15. Winds became northeast ahead of the low and northwest behind the low as it moved offshore on November 15. The result was a surge of water from the Chesapeake Bay with moderate coastal flooding reported across several areas.
Coastal Flood — Oct 1, 2024
The combination of high pressure to the north and Helene Remnant low pressure to the south, resulted in prolonged northeast and east winds which caused minor to moderate (tidal) coastal flooding across portions of the James River.
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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg 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.