Foggy Bottom, DC Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Foggy Bottom is located on low-lying terrain near the Potomac River and is vulnerable to both riverine and tidal flooding. Several federal buildings and the Kennedy Center are within flood-prone areas.
District of Columbia has recorded 492 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $5.5M 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
2,815
District of Columbia
Avg. Premium
$409/yr
District of Columbia
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: District of Columbia
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 HighEst. annual loss: $130.1M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $1.5M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $28.6M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: District of Columbia
District of Columbia has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 2 earlier declarations since 2003.
These declarations affected communities across District of Columbia , including Foggy Bottom.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: District of Columbia
Properties in District of Columbia have filed 492 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $5.5M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $11K.
Highest-Claim Years
2020
63 claims - $572K
2018
41 claims - $202K
2011
27 claims - $1.6M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: District of Columbia
Only roughly 1 in 97 households in District of Columbia carries NFIP flood insurance (1% of estimated households). With 191 recorded flood events and $16.8M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
1%
roughly 1 in 97 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 6
492 claims over 45+ years across 2,815 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$11,252
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, District of Columbia has averaged 1 claim for every 6 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 Foggy Bottom.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Foggy Bottom
Foggy Bottom faces multiple inland flood threats, including riverine flooding from nearby waterways and flash flooding from intense rainfall overwhelming urban drainage systems. Properties near river corridors face the highest risk, but stormwater backup can affect neighborhoods well outside the mapped floodplain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Foggy Bottom are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $130.1M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Foggy Bottom depend heavily on a property's elevation relative to nearby waterways and the local drainage infrastructure. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 prices in multiple inland flood sources rather than relying on the flood zone line alone. 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 zone boundaries in Foggy Bottom can shift when FEMA updates its Flood Insurance Studies or when upstream development changes how water moves through the watershed. New stormwater infrastructure or dam modifications can also trigger map revisions. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Foggy Bottom address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: District of Columbia
District of Columbia has 27 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 4 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
27
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
4
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 26 of 27 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: District Of Columbia
NOAA has recorded 191 flood events in District Of Columbia since 1996, causing $16.8M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: District of Columbia
FEMA has funded mitigation for 41 properties in District of Columbia , investing $4.6M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Foggy Bottom, DC Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Foggy Bottom, DC?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Foggy Bottom 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 Foggy Bottom?
If your Foggy Bottom 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 Foggy Bottom?
Enter your Foggy Bottom 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.
How high is flood risk in Foggy Bottom?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, District of Columbia (where Foggy Bottom is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $130.1M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Foggy Bottom experienced major flooding events?
District of Columbia , where Foggy Bottom is located, has been part of 6 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Foggy Bottom?
District of Columbia has recorded 492 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $5.5M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2020, with 63 claims and $572K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Foggy Bottom.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Foggy Bottom?
District of Columbia currently has 2,815 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $409. The most policies are in Zone X (2,077 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Foggy Bottom properties have flooded repeatedly?
District of Columbia has 27 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 4 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 Foggy Bottom 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 Foggy Bottom?
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 Foggy Bottom'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.
Other District of Columbia Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Foggy Bottom, DC Address
Enter a Foggy Bottom, DC 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.