Enter any address in Broome County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Broome County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 156 flash flood events and 73 general flood events. For example, on July 13, 2025, slow-moving storms caused heavy rainfall, leading to flooded roads and washouts of culverts and small bridges in several locations.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced a high volume of claims, with an average payout of $41,773 and an average water depth of 13.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also seen significant claims, with the highest average water depth recorded at 15.7 feet and an average payout of $49,393. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X_SHADED, as well as those located near waterways or in areas without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
137 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Broome County, New York has recorded 229 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 156 flash floods and 73 river or area floods. The county has received 30 federal disaster declarations, 8 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1970–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 8, 2024 |
| Hurricane Henri | Hurricane | Aug 21, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Aug 13, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 26, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Severe Storm | Sep 7, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Flood | Apr 26, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2024 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2024 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 40.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2024 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2025
A warm and unstable environment ahead of an approaching cold front supported the development of scattered thunderstorms. Weak steering winds contributed to slow moving storms repeating over the same areas which contributed to areas of heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Several locations around central New York reported flooded roads along with washouts of culverts and small bridges.
Flash Flood — Jul 24, 2024
A frontal boundary supported scattered thunderstorms across Central New York. Ahead of the front, an unstable environment triggered rounds of repeating, heavy rain producing thunderstorms that moved over the same areas. Rainfall totals of 2-3 inches fell in less than 3 hours which contributed to localized flash and urban flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 9, 2024
A deep plume of tropical moisture had spread over Central New York ahead of the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. Prolonged torrential rains blanketed the region during the night and early morning hours before becoming enhanced by the approaching tropical remnants. This enhancement of rainfall led to widespread flash flooding in many parts of the region where roads and bridges were destroyed an...
Flood — Aug 9, 2024
A deep plume of tropical moisture had spread over Central New York ahead of the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. Prolonged torrential rains blanketed the region during the night and early morning hours before becoming enhanced by the approaching tropical remnants. This enhancement of rainfall led to widespread flash flooding in many parts of the region where roads and bridges were destroyed an...
Flash Flood — Aug 5, 2024
Deep moisture and instability in place over Central New York on this day combined with a slow moving upper level disturbance to trigger heavy rain producing thunderstorms. Localized flashed flooding occurred in a few areas with minimal impact to roads.
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 Broome 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 Broome 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.