Enter any address in Livingston County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Livingston County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 42 flash flood events and 15 flood events. For example, heavy rain from thunderstorms caused flash flooding on June 18, 2025, and additional flooding occurred on June 27, 2025, due to strong thunderstorms.
NFIP claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced 60 claims with an average payout of $5,881 and an average water depth of 5.0 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have had 10 claims with a higher average payout of $14,424 and an average water depth of 7.2 feet, indicating significant potential for damage even in areas not typically considered high-risk. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_UNSHADED, and any properties without a defined Base Flood Elevation (BFE) should pay particular 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.
Livingston County, New York has recorded 57 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 42 flash floods and 15 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 (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 | Severe Storm | May 13, 2014 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| 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 |
| Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Apr 3, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 20, 2019 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 27, 2025
On the afternoon of June 27th, strong to severe thunderstorms developed along a warm front slowly tracking northeast across the western New York area. Additional strong to severe thunderstorms also developed along lake breeze boundaries within the warm sector of an area of low pressure over the central Great Lakes. Some of the thunderstorms that developed also produced heavy rainfall, leading t...
Flood — Jun 27, 2025
On the afternoon of June 27th, strong to severe thunderstorms developed along a warm front slowly tracking northeast across the western New York area. Additional strong to severe thunderstorms also developed along lake breeze boundaries within the warm sector of an area of low pressure over the central Great Lakes. Some of the thunderstorms that developed also produced heavy rainfall, leading t...
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...
Flash Flood — May 5, 2025
A slow moving area of low pressure brought periods of steady rain to western New York. Embedded thunderstorms within the steadier rain caused heavier downpours at times during the evening on May 5th. Heavier rain, combined with the periods of steady rain resulted in Flash Flooding in Allegany and Livingston counties. The Town of Canaseraga experienced the brunt of the flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2024
Strong to severe thunderstorms developed within a highly unstable atmosphere across most of western and north central New York. Thunderstorms were initiated by a weak lake breeze boundary across the area. Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms within a very moist atmosphere caused flooding issues as well.
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 Livingston 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 Livingston 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.