Does Forest Park flood?
Forest Park, Norfolk, VA · ZIP codes 23518 and 23503: the ZIP codes on most of the flood insurance claims counted here. ZIP codes do not follow neighborhood lines.
Yes. Insured properties in and around Forest Park have filed flood claims. About 18% of Forest Park’s mapped area is inside FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area; the rest is in moderate or minimal-hazard Zone X. NFIP flood insurance records list 33 claims from the Census block groups that cover Forest Park, from 1998 through 2021. 24 of them received a payment, totaling $164,076 (not adjusted for inflation). The busiest years were 2016 (8 claims), 2009 (7 claims), 2003 (5 claims).
What this page counts as Forest Park
We could not find an openly licensed official boundary for Forest Park, so this page uses a census-based area. For this page, Forest Park means the 2010 Census block groups whose center lies within 1.6 km (1.0 miles) of the U.S. Geological Survey (GNIS) map point for Forest Park (feature 2091761) and inside the Norfolk city limits (U.S. Census Bureau), each block group going to the nearest of the places we cover. Every number below is for exactly those block groups (listed in “How these numbers were made”), so the edges are approximate and may include or leave out a few blocks people would call Forest Park. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, 2010 Census Block Groups, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places boundaries (NRHP polygons) and U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) domestic names.
Past claims do not predict future flooding, and a neighborhood figure cannot tell you about one building. Look up the exact address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and get flood insurance quotes before you sign a lease or a contract.
Check a specific address in Forest Park
Neighborhood figures are averages. Our address check looks up the FEMA flood zone at one address, from the same public maps: check if your address is in a flood zone.
Flood zones street by street in Forest Park
The named streets in Forest Park, longest first, with how much of each street’s length inside Forest Park lies in FEMA’s high-risk flood zones (the Special Flood Hazard Area, zones A and V). Length is the part inside Forest Park; the main zone is the FEMA zone covering most of that length. A street can cross several zones, so the zone at one address can differ from the street’s main zone: check the address above for that. 36 shorter streets are not listed.
| Street | Length | In high-risk zones | Main zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheppard Ave | 4,240 ft | 2.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (85%) |
| Carlton St | 3,920 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Sunset Dr | 3,900 ft | 37% | X (unshaded, minimal) (40%) |
| Meadow Creek Rd | 3,730 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (93%) |
| Buffalo Ave | 3,700 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (94%) |
| Pythian Ave | 3,650 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Fishermans Rd | 3,580 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| E Little Creek Rd | 3,460 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Chesapeake Blvd | 3,350 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Eagle Ave | 2,970 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (95%) |
| Quincy St | 2,810 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (88%) |
| Jenifer St | 2,590 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Capeview Ave | 2,480 ft | 18% | X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (40%) |
| Elk Ave | 2,160 ft | 6.3% | X (unshaded, minimal) (94%) |
| Bison Ave | 2,080 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (89%) |
| Portal Rd | 2,070 ft | 18% | X (unshaded, minimal) (46%) |
| Newell Ave | 2,040 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Templar Blvd | 1,830 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Lion Ave | 1,740 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Tallwood St | 1,740 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Bill St | 1,640 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Moose Ave | 1,630 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Guam Pkwy | 1,590 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| Fernwood Dr | 1,580 ft | 2.5% | X (unshaded, minimal) (96%) |
| Shreveport Cres | 1,510 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
Streets: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, Transportation (primary, secondary and local roads). Flood zones: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels, retrieved November 5, 2026. Each street is clipped to the area boundary and measured in an equal-area projection. Street lengths are rounded.
Flood zones in Forest Park
Share of Forest Park’s mapped area (about 2.339 km²) in each FEMA flood zone, from FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels. Mapped base flood elevations inside the neighborhood range from 8 to 8 feet. Effective date of the FIRM panel(s) covering it (5101040036H, 5155310015F): May 4, 2009, February 17, 2017.
| FEMA zone | Share of area |
|---|---|
| X (unshaded, minimal) | 77% |
| AE | 18% |
| X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) | 5.4% |
What the zones mean
- Zone AE (and A, AH, AO)
- High-risk: part of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the area FEMA maps as having a 1-percent chance of flooding in any given year (the “100-year” or base flood). AE areas have a mapped base flood elevation.
- Zone VE (and V)
- High-risk coastal areas, also in the SFHA, where the base flood is expected to bring additional hazards from storm waves.
- Zone X (shaded)
- Moderate hazard: between the limits of the 1-percent and the 0.2-percent-annual-chance (“500-year”) flood.
- Zone X (unshaded)
- Minimal hazard: outside the SFHA and higher than the 0.2-percent-annual-chance flood elevation. Minimal is not zero: flood claims are filed from X zones too.
Source: FEMA Glossary: Flood Zones.
Flood insurance claims over time
Claims filed under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) from the 2010 Census block groups that cover Forest Park. This area is made of whole block groups, so every claim counted here comes from inside it. Only insured properties appear, so these counts understate total flooding.
By decade
| Decade | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 8 | $3,252 |
| 2000s | 12 | $52,351 |
| 2010s | 11 | $108,473 |
| 2020s | 2 | $0 |
By year of loss
Named flood events with the most claims
- Hurricane Matthew: 8 claims
- November 2009 Nor'easter: 7 claims
- Hurricane Isabel: 5 claims
- Hurricane Floyd: 5 claims
- Flooding: 3 claims
FEMA labels some events only as “Flooding”. Claims by the flood zone the property was rated in:
- X/B/C (moderate or minimal): 19
- A/AE/AH/AO (high risk): 14
How much is flood insurance in Forest Park?
The typical National Flood Insurance Program policy on single-family homes in Forest Park costs $955 a year: the median of 107 policies that started between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $582 and $1,214. That is the full amount paid for the year, the premium plus FEMA’s fees and surcharges, and every one of these policies is priced under Risk Rating 2.0. A quote for one building can be far from this: its elevation, foundation, age, coverage and deductible all change the price. Private flood insurance is not included.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Dataset: FIMA NFIP Redacted Policies - v3, computed November 5, 2026.
Why home insurance costs what it does in Forest Park
This section is educational and is not insurance advice.
Flood insurance
ZIP codes do not follow neighborhood lines. These are the ZIP codes on at least 5% of the flood claims counted for Forest Park, within 10 km of it.
- ZIP code 23518: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $907 a year, the middle of 1,175 policies that started between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $603 and $1,143. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0.
- ZIP code 23518: NFIP records list 928 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2025. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026.
- ZIP code 23503: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $737 a year, the middle of 971 policies that started between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $447 and $1,230. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0.
- ZIP code 23503: NFIP records list 1,317 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2025. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026.
Fire and wind
- USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities gives Norfolk, VA a Risk to Homes national percentile rank of 0.373, which its methods call Low (below the 40th percentile). That is the city rating, not a rating of Forest Park alone. The summary file is dated April 15, 2026.
What to ask your agent
- Ask the agent how old the roof is.
- Ask whether a wind-mitigation discount is available for this house.
- Ask how flood coverage differs from the homeowners policy. A standard homeowners policy does not cover flood. Flood coverage is a separate policy.
- Ask whether the policy has a separate hurricane or windstorm deductible, and how that deductible is calculated.
- Ask when coverage would start. A new National Flood Insurance Program policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase.
Flood coverage and the 30-day wait: FEMA fact sheet, Jan. 21, 2025; 44 CFR 61.11.
What do NFIP records show for flood insurance in Forest Park?
ZIP code 23518: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $907 a year, the middle of 1,175 policies that started between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $603 and $1,143. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0. ZIP code 23518: NFIP records list 928 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2025. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026. ZIP code 23503: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $737 a year, the middle of 971 policies that started between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $447 and $1,230. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0. ZIP code 23503: NFIP records list 1,317 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2025. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026.
What do public fire and wind records show for Forest Park?
USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities gives Norfolk, VA a Risk to Homes national percentile rank of 0.373, which its methods call Low (below the 40th percentile). That is the city rating, not a rating of Forest Park alone. The summary file is dated April 15, 2026.
What should I ask an insurance agent about a home in Forest Park?
Ask the agent how old the roof is. Ask whether a wind-mitigation discount is available for this house. Ask how flood coverage differs from the homeowners policy. A standard homeowners policy does not cover flood. Flood coverage is a separate policy. Ask whether the policy has a separate hurricane or windstorm deductible, and how that deductible is calculated. Ask when coverage would start. A new National Flood Insurance Program policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase.
Sources: OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3; OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3; USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities, community summaries; Wildfire Risk to Communities methods.
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Before you rent or buy in Forest Park
- Look up the exact address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center; a neighborhood can mix high-risk and minimal-hazard zones.
- Ask the landlord or seller about past flooding and flood insurance claims at the property.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: new NFIP policies usually take 30 days to start (FloodSmart (NFIP): Buy a Flood Insurance Policy).
- Ask which floor the unit is on and where parking, storage and mechanical equipment sit.
Living in Forest Park
Flood maps are only one part of choosing a neighborhood. To compare Forest Park with other Norfolk neighborhoods on more than flooding, see Norfolk on StrollPlace.
Buyer and renter FAQ
Does Forest Park flood?
Yes. Insured properties in and around Forest Park have filed flood claims. About 18% of Forest Park’s mapped area is inside FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area; the rest is in moderate or minimal-hazard Zone X. NFIP flood insurance records list 33 claims from the Census block groups that cover Forest Park, from 1998 through 2021. 24 of them received a payment, totaling $164,076 (not adjusted for inflation). The busiest years were 2016 (8 claims), 2009 (7 claims), 2003 (5 claims). Past claims do not predict future flooding, and conditions vary street by street, so check the specific address.
Is Forest Park in a flood zone?
About 18% of Forest Park’s mapped area is inside FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area; the rest is in moderate or minimal-hazard Zone X. Shares by zone: X (unshaded, minimal) 77%; AE 18%; X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) 5.4%. The FIRM panel(s) covering it took effect May 4, 2009, February 17, 2017.
Which streets in Forest Park are in a high-risk flood zone?
No street listed here has most of its length in FEMA high-risk zones. Less than 10% of Sheppard Ave, Carlton St, Meadow Creek Rd, Buffalo Ave, Pythian Ave, Fishermans Rd, E Little Creek Rd and Chesapeake Blvd does. Zones can change along a street, so check the exact address.
What ZIP code is Forest Park in?
Forest Park is in Norfolk, VA. ZIP codes 23518 and 23503: the ZIP codes on most of the flood insurance claims counted here. ZIP codes do not follow neighborhood lines. Check the specific address for its own flood zone.
Do renters need flood insurance?
Standard renters policies usually do not cover flood. Renters in a community that participates in the NFIP can buy contents-only flood coverage, up to $100,000 for belongings.
How long does a new flood policy take to start?
A new NFIP policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase. Exceptions include no wait when the policy is bought while making, increasing, extending or renewing a mortgage, and a one-day wait in a newly designated high-risk zone within 12 months of the map change.
How much coverage can NFIP provide?
For a one-to-four family home, NFIP building coverage goes up to $250,000 and contents coverage up to $100,000. You can buy flood insurance even if you are not in a high-risk zone, as long as your community participates in the NFIP.
How much is flood insurance in Forest Park?
The typical NFIP flood insurance policy on single-family homes in Forest Park cost $955 a year: the median of 107 policies that started between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Half cost between $582 and $1,214. One building’s quote can be far from this; its elevation, foundation, age, coverage and deductible all change the price.
FAQ sources: FloodSmart (NFIP): Buy a Flood Insurance Policy; FEMA Fact Sheet: Think you don’t need flood insurance? Think again (Jan. 21, 2025); 44 CFR 61.11, Effective date and time of coverage.
Nearby neighborhoods
- Brentwood
- Oakwood
- Does Northside flood?
- Does East Ocean View flood?
- Does Wedgewood flood?
- Colonial Heights
How these numbers were made
Area: the census-based definition above, using U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, 2010 Census Block Groups, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places boundaries (NRHP polygons) and U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) domestic names. Flood zone shares: the area polygon intersected with FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels, area computed in an equal-area projection; retrieved November 5, 2026. Claims: OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3 records for City of Norfolk (county code 51710), dataset as of September 8, 2026, retrieved November 5, 2026. Claims are counted for exactly the block groups that make up the area. Block groups used: 517100056012, 517100066011, 517100056013, 517100056021. Neighboring pages can share a block group, so their counts can overlap. Paid totals add building, contents and Increased Cost of Compliance payments and are not adjusted for inflation; a claim whose FEMA record shows a negative payment (an adjustment) counts as zero. See the methodology.
Sources
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), FEMA OpenFEMA Dataset: FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims - v3. Retrieved on November 5, 2026.
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels. Retrieved on November 5, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, 2010 Census Block Groups, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places boundaries (NRHP polygons) and U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) domestic names.
- FEMA Glossary: Flood Zones.
- FloodSmart (NFIP): Buy a Flood Insurance Policy.
- FEMA Fact Sheet: Think you don’t need flood insurance? Think again (Jan. 21, 2025).
- 44 CFR 61.11, Effective date and time of coverage.
- OpenFEMA Terms and Conditions.
- FEMA OpenFEMA Dataset: FIMA NFIP Redacted Policies - v3.
- OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3.
- OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3.
- USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities, community summaries.
- Wildfire Risk to Communities methods.
- U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, Transportation (primary, secondary and local roads).
Data as of September 8, 2026 (FEMA claims) and November 5, 2026 (flood zones). Page last updated November 5, 2026.