Enter any address in Cayuga County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events has been the most frequent type of flooding in Cayuga County over the past 30 years, with 45 recorded events. For example, in May 2025, slow-moving thunderstorms caused torrential rain, leading to localized flash flooding of roads and urban areas. Another type of flooding event, also occurring in May 2025, involved repeated thunderstorms that saturated the ground, resulting in flash flooding.
In addition to flash floods, Cayuga County has experienced other flood types, including general floods, coastal floods, and lakeshore floods. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $7,266 and an average water depth of 1.8 feet. Properties in Zone X, though fewer in number, have seen higher average payouts ($8,583) and deeper water ($2.3 feet).
Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, near lakeshores, or in lower-lying zones should be particularly aware of their flood risk. Properties located in Zone A and Zone X, as indicated by NFIP claims data, have historically experienced significant flooding.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
50 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cayuga County, New York has recorded 67 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 45 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred | Hurricane | Aug 18, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 2, 2017 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2004 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Jan 28, 2004 |
| Power Outage | Other | Aug 14, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Feb 26, 2025 | 35.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 200.00K |
Flood — Feb 26, 2025
Local officials reported an ice jam along Great Gully Brook near where the brook enters into Cayuga Lake. Flooding extended along Great Gully Cove Road and Fire Lane number 8 from the walking bridge to the lake shore. Excavators were brought into the scene to assist with disrupting the jam and mitigating flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2025
A slow-moving cold front arrived during the evening hours, moving into a very moist environment. The unstable atmosphere produced several thunderstorms, a few of which produced torrential rainfall and localized flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 6, 2025
A slow moving upper level low pressure system interacted with a surface frontal boundary to induce torrential rain-producing thunderstorms. These storms moved into Central New York during the afternoon and repeatedly struck the same areas leading to localized flash flooding of roads, ditches and urban areas.
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2024
A thunderstorm complex and an upper-level wave moved through the region triggering widespread showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. These features produced a few slow moving thunderstorms near the Finger Lakes region which dropped 2-4 inches of heavy rain in less than two hours.
Flash Flood — Oct 26, 2021
Deep moisture from the Atlantic Ocean was fed into a warm frontal zone located over Central New York by low pressure near New York City. This led to areas of moderate to heavy rainfall totaling between 3 to 5 inches of rain with locally higher amounts. This rainfall led to widespread flash flooding across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region.
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 Cayuga 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 Cayuga 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.