Enter any address in Chemung County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates Chemung County's flood character. Recent events include flash flooding on August 31, 2024, caused by slow-moving thunderstorms in the Elmira-Horseheads area, and on August 28, 2023, when heavy rain overwhelmed small streams near Horseheads, leading to severe flooding and closure of Interstate 86.
National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the most claims. Zone A claims averaged over $11,000 with an average water depth of 4 feet, while Zone X_UNSHADED claims averaged over $13,000 with an average water depth of 3.5 feet. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED which has shown deep water inundation, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
24 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Chemung County, New York has recorded 61 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 42 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Aug 13, 2018 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2004 |
| Power Outage | Other | Aug 14, 2003 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jul 21, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Apr 30, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Apr 30, 2020 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 18, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 18, 2018 | 15.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 31, 2024
A complex frontal system stalled over the Central Southern Tier of New York during the late afternoon and evening. This system triggered slow moving, heavy rain producing thunderstorms in the Elmira-Horseheads area which caused areas of flash flooding on area roads and small streams.
Flash Flood — Aug 28, 2023
A weak disturbance moving through the upper atmosphere across southern New York combined with an unusually warm and moist airmass to produce several rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms over Chemung county. A very localized total of 2 to 3 inches of rain fell just to the west of Elmira, NY. The runoff from this heavy rain overwhelmed several small streams near the Horseheads exchange a...
Flood — Apr 30, 2020
Heavy rainfall from an approaching weather system persisted for several hours. A locally enhanced line of thunderstorm activity triggered rapid and enhanced flooding in a few locations.
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2020
Isolated thunderstorms developed across the Southern Tier of New York during the afternoon. Storm cells redeveloped over Chemung county for nearly 4 hours that afternoon producing localized rain amounts over 3 inches in a short period of time.
Flash Flood — Jul 25, 2018
A north-south oriented stationary front extended along the spine of the Appalachian mountains through Pennsylvania and into the southern counties of New York state. A stronger cold front was pushing in from the Great Lakes. Warm and very humid air fueled this region with numerous thunderstorms for the better part of two days. Areas of significant flash flooding developed along the New York bord...
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 Chemung 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 Chemung 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.