National Weather ServiceVirginiaFlash Flood WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia
The National Weather Service issued 333 flash flood warnings for Virginia in 2025 and 126 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 5th most of any state. 2026 through September: 164, 36% above the average of 121 for those months in 2008-2025. Fairfax was covered most often (152 times since 2008).
How many flash flood warnings does Virginia get?
Every flash flood warning that covered part of Virginia. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 164 |
| 2025 | 333 |
| 2024 | 225 |
| 2023 | 119 |
| 2022 | 111 |
| 2021 | 149 |
| 2020 | 180 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2018 | 172 |
| 2017 | 50 |
| 2016 | 64 |
| 2015 | 73 |
| 2014 | 45 |
| 2013 | 110 |
| 2012 | 83 |
| 2011 | 167 |
| 2010 | 141 |
| 2009 | 123 |
| 2008 | 71 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Virginia get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Virginia?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax | 152 | 33 | September 4, 2026 |
| Albemarle | 125 | 28 | August 28, 2026 |
| Henrico | 125 | 74 | September 12, 2026 |
| Chesterfield | 121 | 80 | September 12, 2026 |
| Patrick | 102 | 20 | August 2, 2026 |
| Grayson | 101 | 22 | July 28, 2026 |
| Rockingham | 101 | 16 | August 22, 2026 |
| Carroll | 98 | 19 | August 7, 2026 |
| Arlington | 97 | 17 | September 4, 2026 |
| Tazewell | 92 | 19 | August 3, 2026 |
| Buchanan | 90 | 29 | September 22, 2026 |
| City of Richmond | 88 | 55 | September 12, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest flash flood warnings for Virginia in AreaZine's record
NWS WakefieldWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Amelia, VA
Expired 5:30 a.m. EDT, September 23, 2026
NWS WakefieldWarningSeptember 22, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Cumberland and Powhatan, VA
Expired 3:00 a.m. EDT, September 23, 2026
NWS WakefieldWarningSeptember 22, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: City of Chesapeake, City of Norfolk, City of Portsmouth and 1 more, VA
Expired 5:30 p.m. EDT, September 22, 2026
NWS WakefieldWarningSeptember 22, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Gloucester and York, VA
Expired 3:45 p.m. EDT, September 22, 2026
NWS WakefieldWarningSeptember 22, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Gloucester and Mathews, VA
Expired 3:15 p.m. EDT, September 22, 2026
NWS WakefieldWarningSeptember 22, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Gloucester, Lancaster, Mathews and 1 more, VA
Expired 2:00 p.m. EDT, September 22, 2026
NWS MorristownWarningSeptember 22, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Wise and City of Norton, VA
Expired 3:45 a.m. EDT, September 22, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Buchanan and Dickenson, VA
Expired 4:30 a.m. EDT, September 22, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a flash flood warning?
A flash flood warning means flash flooding is happening or about to happen: water rising fast in streams, streets or dry washes, usually within six hours of heavy rain or a dam or levee failure. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Virginia.