Enter any address in Albany County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding recorded in Albany County over the past 30 years, with 118 such events documented. Other flood types include general floods (87 events), tropical storms (2 events), and storm surge/tide (1 event). Recent flash flood events in June 2025, caused by stalled frontal boundaries and atmospheric disturbances, resulted in widespread poor drainage and urban flooding, inundating numerous roadways and residential streets.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows a significant number of claims filed in Zone A (166 claims) and Zone X (56 claims). While Zone A had the highest number of claims, Zone X_UNSHADED saw the highest average payout ($16,891) for its claims, though with a lower average water depth (1.6 ft) compared to Zone A (3.8 ft) and Zone X (3.7 ft). Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in other flood zones with a history of claims and payouts, should pay close attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
111 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Albany County, New York has recorded 208 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 118 flash floods and 87 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1987–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Henri | Hurricane | Aug 21, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Severe Storm | Sep 7, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 11, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Inland And Coastal Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 14, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2025 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 75.00K |
| Flood | Aug 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2024 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2024 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 7, 2025
A frontal boundary stalled to the south of the ALY County Warning Area, in tandem with several mid- and upper-level disturbances generated widespread heavy rainfall and scattered thunderstorms across eastern New York on June 6 and 7. Prolonged, moderate to locally heavy downpours lead to widespread poor drainage and urban flooding with numerous roadways and residential roadways becoming inundat...
Flash Flood — Jun 6, 2025
A frontal boundary stalled to the south of the ALY County Warning Area, in tandem with several mid- and upper-level disturbances generated widespread heavy rainfall and scattered thunderstorms across eastern New York on June 6 and 7. Prolonged, moderate to locally heavy downpours lead to widespread poor drainage and urban flooding with numerous roadways and residential roadways becoming inundat...
Flood — Aug 19, 2024
A cold front tracked through eastern New York on August 19, 2024, forcing the development of scattered showers and broken lines of thunderstorms. Multiple rounds of heavy downpours impacted northeast Albany County, leading to a few instances of flooding and flash flooding just outside the city of Albany and within the town of Colonie. Flooded roadways led to traffic delays.
Flash Flood — Aug 19, 2024
A cold front tracked through eastern New York on August 19, 2024, forcing the development of scattered showers and broken lines of thunderstorms. Multiple rounds of heavy downpours impacted northeast Albany County, leading to a few instances of flooding and flash flooding just outside the city of Albany and within the town of Colonie. Flooded roadways led to traffic delays.
Flood — Jan 10, 2024
A strong storm system brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and high elevation wet snow to eastern New York from the afternoon hours on January 9 into the early morning hours on January 10, 2024. Between 3 and 7 inches of snow fell across portions of the southern Adirondacks along with a light accumulation of sleet and freezing rain before changing over to plain rain. On the warmer sid...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Albany County, New York:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Albany County, New York that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.