Enter any address in Madison County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Madison County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 49 flash flood events compared to 4 general flood events. For example, on June 22, 2025, a mesoscale convective system produced torrential rainfall, leading to widespread flash flooding and small river flooding. Estimates indicated 3 to 5 inches of rain fell within a six-hour period, with locally higher amounts.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $17,050 and an average water depth of 6.7 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X also have a history of claims. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas with documented flood events and claims, 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.
Madison County, New York has recorded 53 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 49 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 5 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, 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, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Flood | Apr 26, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 26, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 31, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2018 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2018 | 10.00K |
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 — May 16, 2025
A cold front moving into a very warm and humid airmass over Central New York triggered scattered torrential rain-producing thunderstorms. Some storms repeatedly moved over the same areas.
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 — Aug 22, 2021
Hurricane Henri moved up the U.S. Atlantic coast and over parts of southeast New York on August 22 to 23, 2021. Bands of heavy rainfall crossed through parts of central New York producing flooding in some locations.
Flash Flood — Oct 31, 2019
Low pressure moved northeast through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River valley, bringing a plume of deep moisture into Central New York. Rain, with embedded bands of thunderstorms, developed ahead of the low pressure area during the day of 31 October. A widespread swath of 1 to 3 inches of rain fell throughout the region, with localized amounts in the 3 to 5 inch range. Some of this heavy r...
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 Madison 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 Madison 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.