Enter any address in Jefferson County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding events, including flash floods, have occurred frequently in Jefferson County over the past 30 years. Recent examples include heavy rainfall events in May 2025 and August 2024, with the latter being influenced by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. Another significant event in September 2024, linked to the remnants of Tropical Storm Helene, caused both river flooding and flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $13,829 for a water depth of 1.5 feet. However, properties in Zone X_SHADED have seen higher average payouts ($14,939) with an average water depth of 4.2 feet, and Zone X_UNSHADED properties have also incurred significant claims. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and Zone X_UNSHADED should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
32 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Jefferson County, West Virginia has recorded 79 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 66 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 23, 2026 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | May 28, 2018 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And | Severe Storm | Jun 3, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 7, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 11, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 25, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 14, 2025
A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area bringing localized heavy rain and a long duration moderate rain event.
Flood — Sep 29, 2024
The remnants of Tropical Storm Helene brought widespread heavy rain to the region that led to river flooding and flash flooding in the state of West Virginia.
Flood — Aug 9, 2024
The remnants of Debby tracked through the area Thursday night into Friday, August 8th into August 9th. Tropical moisture combined with lift from the remnants to cause heavy rain across much of Virginia. The heavy rain led to several instances of flash flooding and flooding.
Flood — Oct 1, 2024
Heavy rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Helene led to an extended period of river flooding that lingered into the beginning of October.
Flood — May 7, 2022
A line of thunderstorms crossing a warm front caused several instances of flooding across MD on May 6th into May 7th. Residual main stem river flooding continued through May 9th.
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 Jefferson County, West 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 Jefferson County, West 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.