Enter any address in Cortland County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Cortland County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 57 flash flood events and 27 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on June 22, 2025, when torrential rainfall produced widespread flooding, and on June 7, 2025, when heavy rain caused urban and small stream flooding along with road and bridge washouts.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $8,343 and an average water depth of 7.5 feet. However, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen significantly higher average payouts ($43,950) with an average water depth of 9.2 feet, indicating substantial damage can occur outside of high-risk zones. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
49 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cortland County, New York has recorded 84 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 57 flash floods and 27 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1975–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storm, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Jul 10, 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, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 31, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 26, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 8, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 26, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 6.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2021 | 20.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2025
A mesoscale convective system (MCS) dropped southward across Central NY from eastern Ontario, moving into an environment with plenty of moisture and instability during the early morning hours. Torrential rainfall accompanied these storms and produced widespread flash flooding and small river flooding. Estimates of 3 to 5 inches, with locally higher amounts, fell mostly within a 6-hour period.
Flash Flood — Jun 7, 2025
Low pressure moving along a stationary front positioned over South Central New York triggered slow-moving, heavy rain-producing thunderstorms during the early morning hours. Pockets of 2 to 3 inches of rain fell over just a few hours causing urban and small stream flash flooding along with road and bridge washouts.
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2024
A slow-moving cluster of thunderstorms developed along a boundary in a hot, humid and unstable environment. Isolated rain amounts in excess of 2.5 to 3.0 inches over a short period of time during the afternoon swelled local creeks and streams causing flooding in portions of Steuben and Cortland counties. A flooded road also occurred earlier in Seneca County, with initial activity the prior even...
Flash Flood — Dec 18, 2023
Low pressure moved north along the Atlantic Seaboard spreading steady and heavy rain into central New York during the overnight hours. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches were observed along with a considerable amount of melting snow into area rivers and streams. Widespread flash flooding and river flooding occurred during this event.
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 Cortland 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 Cortland 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.