Enter any address in Cattaraugus County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Cattaraugus County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 82 flash flood events and 21 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in June 2025, associated with showers and thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall, and another event in July 2025, where thunderstorms brought gusty winds and heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $10,857 and an average water depth of 4.7 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X have also seen significant claims, with higher average payouts and water depths, particularly in Zone X where average water depth reached 7.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X, and Zone X_SHADED should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
86 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cattaraugus County, New York has recorded 103 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 82 flash floods and 21 river or area floods. The county has received 26 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1967–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Winter Storm | Nov 18, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Snowstorm | Nov 17, 2014 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2014 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 8, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 13, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms developed along a Lake Erie lake breeze boundary during the late morning of June 18th. With the very high moisture laden airmass over the area, heavy rain occurred within some of the showers and thunderstorms that developed. Some of the thunderstorms, especially early, trained over the same area long enough to cause flash flooding issues. Additional showers and thunder...
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2025
The combination of pre-frontal trough, deep moisture and increased instability resulted in the development of showers and thunderstorms on the afternoon of July 13. Thunderstorms stretch from the western Southern Tier to the North Country. At times the thunderstorms became strong to severe with gusty winds and heavy rainfall.
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 — Jun 5, 2025
On the afternoon of June 5th, showers and thunderstorms developed along a cold front slowly crossing the Buffalo forecast area. Some of these thunderstorms became severe causing large hail. Heavy rainfall associated with some of the thunderstorms resulted in flash flooding as well. Hail and flash flooding from the thunderstorms was limited to the western Southern Tier.
Flash Flood — Jun 19, 2024
Strong to severe thunderstorms developed within a highly unstable atmosphere across most of western and north central New York. Thunderstorms were initiated by a weak lake breeze boundary across the area. Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms within a very moist atmosphere caused flooding issues as well.
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 Cattaraugus 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 Cattaraugus 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.