Enter any address in Niagara County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Niagara County, NY, based on data from the last 30 years. Recent examples include flash flooding on June 18, 2024, caused by heavy rainfall from strong thunderstorms, and July 29, 2023, when slow-moving storms produced heavy rain and flash flooding across the western Niagara Frontier. Other flood types observed in the county include general flooding, coastal flooding, and lakeshore flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $3,809. Properties in Zone X also have a significant number of claims, with a notably higher average payout of $12,676, despite a lower average water depth reported. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, as well as those in coastal or lakeshore zones, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
56 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Niagara County, New York has recorded 61 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 32 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 27 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 (1973–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 2, 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 |
| Lake Effect Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Oct 12, 2006 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 12, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jan 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 20, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Dec 11, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Nov 15, 2020 | 10.00K |
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.
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2024
Strong to severe thunderstorms developed within a highly unstable atmosphere across most of western New York. Thunderstorms developed as an outflow boundary from upstream convection moved into western New York. Heavy rainfall within a very moist atmosphere caused some flooding issues as well during the morning of June 18.
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2023
A mid-level impulse and stalled out frontal boundary resulted in slow moving thunderstorms across the western Niagara Frontier that produced heavy rain and flash flooding. There were also waterspouts on Lake Erie in the afternoon as the impulse crossed the area.
Lakeshore Flood — Dec 23, 2022
A historic lake effect blizzard occurred northeast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario during the Christmas holiday weekend. The combination of high winds in excess of 70 mph and heavy lake effect snow resulted in devastating impacts across western New York and also east of Lake Ontario from December 23 through December 27. ||Warmer air initially was in place over the majority of the region with wide...
Flood — Jul 20, 2021
A cold front dropped from north to south across the area. Unstable conditions were evident ahead of this, with about 2000 J/kg CAPE developing by late afternoon. Moderate mid-level shear was present with a shortwave just ahead of the front. Storms developed ahead of this frontal boundary around 3 PM and along a lake breeze boundary in Niagara County. Impressive cores aloft were quickly evident ...
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 Niagara 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 Niagara 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.