Enter any address in Monroe County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Monroe County, NY, with 56 occurrences recorded in the last 30 years. General flooding events followed with 42 occurrences. Coastal and lakeshore flooding have been less common, with 7 and 1 event respectively.
Recent flash flood events, such as those on June 18, 2025, demonstrate how heavy rainfall from thunderstorms can lead to localized flooding. These events can occur when storms train over the same area, overwhelming drainage systems.
Homeowners in Zone A, which has seen the highest number of NFIP claims, should pay particular attention to flood risk. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X also experience claims, indicating a broader risk across different areas.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
94 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Monroe County, New York has recorded 106 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 56 flash floods and 42 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 (1972–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 2, 2017 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 13, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2004 |
| Power Outage | Other | Aug 14, 2003 |
| Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Apr 3, 2003 |
| Fires And Explosions | Fire | Sep 11, 2001 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2023 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2021 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
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 — Sep 9, 2024
A potent shortwave trough/Mesoscale Convective Vortex tracked southeast across the area, causing showers and thunderstorms for much of the Buffalo forecast area. A few of the thunderstorms became severe with tornado and wind damage, along with rain that was heavy enough to cause Flash Flooding issues.
Flash Flood — Aug 16, 2023
An upper level low pressure system with weak winds and high levels of deep moisture pooling along a weak surface trough resulted in clusters of slow moving thunderstorms over Monroe County during the pre-dawn hours. These storms produced very heavy rain with multiple instances of flash flooding reported across the Rochester Metro. Top rainfall reports included; 3.13 inches at the Rochester Airp...
Flood — Oct 30, 2021
A broad occluded low advanced northeastward from the Ohio Valley. Easterly moisture feed off the Atlantic ahead of this system brought precipitable water values above 1 inch. A vast area of moderate and occasionally heavy rainfall resulted in areas of flooding.
Flood — Oct 29, 2021
A broad occluded low advanced northeastward from the Ohio Valley. Easterly moisture feed off the Atlantic ahead of this system brought precipitable water values above 1 inch. A vast area of moderate and occasionally heavy rainfall resulted in areas of flooding.
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 Monroe 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 Monroe 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.