Enter any address in Allegany County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Allegany County. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database has recorded 86 flash flood events and 15 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in the Town of Canaseraga on May 5, 2025, caused by steady rain and embedded thunderstorms, and another flash flood event on June 9, 2025, associated with severe thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $4,658 and an average water depth of 1.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED also show a notable number of claims with an average payout of $2,787 and an average water depth of 1.3 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and those in areas with unknown flood risk designations should pay the most attention to flood preparedness.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
84 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Allegany County, New York has recorded 101 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 86 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1967–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 8, 2024 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred | Hurricane | Aug 18, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2014 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 26, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Flood | Apr 26, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 8, 2009 |
| 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 | Jul 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 19, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2025
A shortwave trough and attendant surface cold front impinging on a weak shear, but very warm and moisture-laden atmosphere led to the development of showers and thunderstorms late in the day into the evening hours which produced isolated severe winds and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2025
Strong to severe thunderstorms developed along a cold front and within the warm sector of an approaching system. Favorable shear, along with forcing from the cold front helped to develop severe storms that also resulted in a confirmed tornado in the western Southern Tier. Additionally, a very moist atmosphere was present within the systems warm sector, helping to contribute to heavy rainfall wi...
Flash Flood — Jun 6, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms causing heavy rainfall developed along a stalled frontal boundary over northern Pennsylvania during the late afternoon and evening on June 6th. Training of heavier rain, along with antecedent conditions in the area, caused excessive runoff, resulting in flash flooding in portions of the western Southern Tier.
Flash Flood — May 5, 2025
A slow moving area of low pressure brought periods of steady rain to western New York. Embedded thunderstorms within the steadier rain caused heavier downpours at times during the evening on May 5th. Heavier rain, combined with the periods of steady rain resulted in Flash Flooding in Allegany and Livingston counties. The Town of Canaseraga experienced the brunt of the flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 21, 2024
Showers moved into the western New York area on the afternoon of Saturday September 21st. With shortwave trough over the area and within a northwest flow regime, along with around 1,500 J/kg of surface based CAPE thunderstorms developed within the showers. With conditions mostly favorable, thunderstorms became strong to severe at times during the afternoon. The thunderstorms caused damaging win...
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 Allegany 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 Allegany 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.