Enter any address in Oneida County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Oneida County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 100 flash flood events and 31 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on June 22, 2025, when MCS storms dropped 3 to 5 inches of rain in six hours, and July 13, 2025, when slow-moving storms caused flooded roads and washed out culverts.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $15,718 and an average water depth of 5.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED also show significant claims with an average payout of $11,266 and 4.4 feet of water depth. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X_SHADED, as well as those located near waterways or in areas without a defined Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
60 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Oneida County, New York has recorded 131 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 100 flash floods and 31 river or area floods. The county has received 28 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 (1972–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Winter Storm | Nov 18, 2022 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred | Hurricane | Aug 18, 2021 |
| 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 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Severe Storm | Sep 7, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Flood | Apr 26, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2024 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 3.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 75.00K |
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 — Jul 13, 2025
A warm and unstable environment ahead of an approaching cold front supported the development of scattered thunderstorms. Weak steering winds contributed to slow moving storms repeating over the same areas which contributed to areas of heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Several locations around central New York reported flooded roads along with washouts of culverts and small bridges.
Flash Flood — Jul 24, 2024
A frontal boundary supported scattered thunderstorms across Central New York. Ahead of the front, an unstable environment triggered rounds of repeating, heavy rain producing thunderstorms that moved over the same areas. Rainfall totals of 2-3 inches fell in less than 3 hours which contributed to localized flash and urban flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 18, 2024
Deep moisture combined with an approaching cold front and a favorable position of the jet stream triggered numerous heavy rain producing thunderstorms over Central New York. Locally heavy rainfall totaled between 3 and 4 inches over a short period of time which caused areas of flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 5, 2024
Deep moisture and instability in place over Central New York on this day combined with a slow moving upper level disturbance to trigger heavy rain producing thunderstorms. Localized flashed flooding occurred in a few areas with minimal impact to roads.
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 Oneida 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 Oneida 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.