Portsmouth, Virginia Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Portsmouth faces flooding from the Elizabeth River and Hampton Roads in this independent city. Sea level rise and storm surge from the Chesapeake Bay increasingly threaten the historic waterfront community.
Portsmouth County has recorded 1,737 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $19.8M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 3
NFIP Policies
4,209
Portsmouth County
Avg. Premium
$495/yr
Portsmouth County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Portsmouth County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $7.4M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $734K
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $4.7M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Portsmouth County
Portsmouth County has been included in 11 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 3 earlier declarations since 1972.
These declarations affected communities across Portsmouth County, including Portsmouth.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Portsmouth County
Properties in Portsmouth County have filed 1,737 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $19.8M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $11K.
Highest-Claim Years
2009
379 claims - $5.4M
2003
337 claims - $3.4M
2016
239 claims - $5.2M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Portsmouth
Portsmouth faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Portsmouth are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $7.4M. Properties in Portsmouth's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Portsmouth means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Portsmouth address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Portsmouth
Portsmouth participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Portsmouth's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Portsmouth, VA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Portsmouth, VA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Portsmouth are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Portsmouth?
If your Portsmouth property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Portsmouth?
Enter your Portsmouth address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Portsmouth offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Portsmouth participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Portsmouth experienced major flooding events?
Portsmouth County, where Portsmouth is located, has been part of 11 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Florence in 2018. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth County has recorded 1,737 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $19.8M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2009, with 379 claims and $5.4M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Portsmouth.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth County currently has 4,209 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $495. The most policies are in Zone AE (3,216 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
Can my Portsmouth property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Portsmouth?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Portsmouth's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.