The City of Hampton's geographic location along Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads makes it extremely susceptible to coastal flooding. There are almost 11,500 parcels in the 100-year floodplain subject to inundation by a storm with a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. Storms associated with coastal flooding are well known to Hampton's residents, and include hurricanes, tropical storms and nor'easters. These types of events typically drop large amounts of rain and generate high winds that result in storm surge along the coast and inland along the shorelines of many smaller rivers and creeks. Storm surge is caused by persistent high wind and changes in air pressure that push water toward the shore, and it can be particularly damaging to low-lying properties in this City when the storm surge occurs in conjunction with high tide. Undoubtedly, storm surge from the Bay and Hampton Roads represent the greatest flood threat in Hampton.

Flash flooding and urban flooding are also a concern within the city limits, when high rates of rainfall exceed the land's ability to absorb the water. The City's Department of Public Works constantly monitors and strives to improve the capability of infrastructure to minimize damage from this type of flooding.

The most recent events to cause severe flooding in Hampton are the Ash Wednesday Storm (March 1962), Hurricane Isabel (September 2003), Tropical Storm Gaston (August 2004), and a series of damaging but unnamed nor'easters occurring every fall since 2004. Find out more about Virginia's Hurricane History and the extent of damage from various storms.

Map of the Local Flood Hazard

The Flood Insurance Rate Map, produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, indicates three primary flood zones:

• Coastal High Hazard Area, or Velocity Zone, is shown as a V1-30 or VE Zone. This area is along the open coast or any other area subject to high velocity wave action from coastal storms. Buckroe, Grandview, Fort Monroe, Merrimac Shores, and Wythe neighborhoods have V Zones.
• A1-30, A, or AE Zone - area subject to being inundated by the 100-year flood, or the flood with a 1-percent chance of occurring each year. These areas are common in Hampton, with 100-year flood elevations ranging from 8.5 feet to 24 feet above sea level.
• The 500-year floodplain is shown as a lightly shaded area adjacent to the 100-year floodplain as Zone B or X shaded. This area has a .5-percent chance of flooding in any given year.