Suffolk, VA Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Suffolk is a growing Hampton Roads city with significant SFHA coverage along the Nansemond River and Great Dismal Swamp drainage. Tidal flooding and storm surge from the Chesapeake Bay increasingly threaten the city's expanding suburban development.
Suffolk County has recorded 234 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $5.2M 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
896
Suffolk County
Avg. Premium
$448/yr
Suffolk County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Suffolk 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: $8.9M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $707K
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $6.7M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Suffolk County
Suffolk County has been included in 12 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 4 earlier declarations since 1972.
These declarations affected communities across Suffolk County, including Suffolk.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Suffolk County
Properties in Suffolk County have filed 234 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $5.2M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $22K.
Highest-Claim Years
2016
47 claims - $2.3M
2003
33 claims - $595K
1999
32 claims - $454K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Suffolk County
Only roughly 1 in 42 households in Suffolk County carries NFIP flood insurance (2% of estimated households). With 35 recorded flood events and $1.4M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
2%
roughly 1 in 42 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 4
234 claims over 45+ years across 896 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$22,184
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Suffolk County has averaged 1 claim for every 4 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Suffolk.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Suffolk
Suffolk 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 Suffolk are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $8.9M.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Suffolk 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 Suffolk address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Suffolk County
Suffolk County has 25 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 3 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
25
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
3
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 23 of 25 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Suffolk (c) County
NOAA has recorded 35 flood events in Suffolk (c) County since 1996, causing $1.4M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Suffolk, VA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Suffolk, VA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Suffolk are Zone AE, 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 Suffolk?
If your Suffolk 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 Suffolk?
Enter your Suffolk 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.
What type of flooding affects Suffolk?
Suffolk is primarily affected by both coastal storm surge and inland flooding. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Suffolk address.
Has Suffolk experienced major flooding events?
Suffolk County, where Suffolk is located, has been part of 12 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 Suffolk?
Suffolk County has recorded 234 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $5.2M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2016, with 47 claims and $2.3M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Suffolk.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Suffolk?
Suffolk County currently has 896 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $448. The most policies are in Zone X (717 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Suffolk properties have flooded repeatedly?
Suffolk County has 25 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 3 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Suffolk 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 Suffolk?
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 Suffolk's Zone AE 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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Look Up Any Suffolk, VA Address
Enter a Suffolk, VA address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
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.