Enter any address in Franklin County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates Franklin County's flood character. Recent examples include widespread flash flooding in August 2024 due to excessive rainfall from the remnants of TS Debby, which damaged over 100 roads and several bridges, and significant flash flooding in July 2023 following torrential rainfall in eastern Franklin County.
The National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $6,229 and an average water depth of 1.2 feet. Properties in Zone X, while having fewer claims, have shown a notably higher average water depth of 12.3 feet, though with an average payout of $0. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near rivers and streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
34 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Franklin County, New York has recorded 52 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 26 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 (1993–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 8, 2024 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 9, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 26, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Flood | Apr 26, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.50M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2023 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2022 | 80.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 21, 2018 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2018 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Jan 12, 2018 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Jan 12, 2018 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2017 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2017 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2016 | 10.00K |
Flood — Aug 9, 2024
The remnants of TS Debby tracked through St. Lawrence County during the afternoon/early evening of August 9, 2024. This produced a 50-75 mile swath of excessive rainfall from 3 to 7 inches which led to widespread flash flooding. Subsequent information indicated over 100 roads damaged or washed out with several bridges damaged and/or destroyed. Some flood damage to homes also occurred in a few l...
Flash Flood — Jul 2, 2023
Several rounds of torrential, convective rainfall affected portions of west central Clinton, and eastern Franklin Counties during the early morning and afternoon hours of July 2, 2023. Flooding and flash flooding, some significant, occurred in this area, particularly in the Ellenburg, NY area.
Flash Flood — Jun 23, 2022
A slow moving cold front pushed into the St. Lawrence Valley and northern Adirondacks during the morning hours of June 23, 2022. Bands of showers and thunderstorms, some with moderate to locally heavy rainfall were observed in this region, especially in the vicinity of Malone, NY.
Flash Flood — Feb 21, 2018
An ice jam formed in the Little Salmon River in Fort Covington in January and remained in place through February. In late February the combination of record warmth, rainfall, and rapid snow melt caused significant rises on the little Salmon River which was already jammed from January. This caused flooding of the town of Fort Convington and evacuations were performed.
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2018
A significant cold front and upper level shortwave moved across a moderately unstable airmass across New York during the afternoon and evening hours of June 18th. A few small lines of thunderstorms moved across the state causing some thunderstorm wind damage.
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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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.