Enter any address in Erie County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is a significant concern in Erie County, NY. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 94 flash flood events and 81 flood events. For example, heavy rain from thunderstorms caused flash flooding on June 18th, and a deep storm system brought heavy rain and potential flooding on April 12th.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $5,867 and an average water depth of 1.4 feet. Properties in Zone X also show high average payouts of $12,234 with an average water depth of 2.4 feet, and Zone X_UNSHADED has an average payout of $5,265 with an average water depth of 1.4 feet. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in areas prone to lakeshore flooding, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
180 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Erie County, New York has recorded 206 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 94 flash floods and 81 river or area floods. The county has received 27 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Dec 23, 2022 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 23, 2022 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Winter Storm | Nov 18, 2022 |
| 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, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Snowstorm | Nov 17, 2014 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 8, 2009 |
| Lake Effect Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Oct 12, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Nov 20, 2024 | — |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Mar 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 500.00K |
Flood — Apr 21, 2025
A mid level trough and cold front tracking across the region caused showers and thunderstorms to develop on the afternoon of Monday April 21st. Some of the thunderstorms caused gusty winds and heavy rainfall, with at least one of the storms causing enough heavy rainfall to prompt the need for a Flash Flood Warning.
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...
Flood — Jan 26, 2024
An area of low pressure and a series of troughs tracking across the region caused steady rain across western and north central New York. Combined with a previous wet pattern and melting snow in the days leading up to this event, flooding was observed for portions of the area. Flooding of area roadways was reported in Tonawanda, Snyder, Clarence (Harris Hill) and Lewiston.
Flood — May 22, 2024
Increased instability, shear and moisture over the region, combined with a pre-frontal trough and cold front crossing the area resulted in severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall.
Lakeshore Flood — Nov 20, 2024
On the evening of November 20th, a strong occluded front tracked northeast across most of the Buffalo County Warning Area. Behind this front, strong winds increased out of the southwest to 45 to 55 MPH, especially over Lake Erie and areas near the lake. While the increase in wind only lasted about 4 hours, the sudden increase in the winds with the front, and the north to northeast direction of ...
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 Erie 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 Erie 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.