Enter any address in Oswego County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is a significant concern in Oswego County. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database has recorded 26 flash flood events and 23 general flood events, alongside coastal and lakeshore flooding. For instance, in August 2024, the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Debby brought heavy rain and flash flooding to the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $15,622 and an average water depth of 4.7 feet. While Zone X properties have also filed claims, the average water depth was considerably lower.
Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, as well as those in designated flood zones, particularly Zone A, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties located near rivers or the Great Lakes shoreline are also advised to be aware of potential flooding.
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.
Oswego County, New York has recorded 61 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 23 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 18, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Winter Storm | Nov 18, 2022 |
| 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 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 2, 2017 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Record Snow And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 2, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 19, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Dec 11, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Nov 27, 2019 | — |
| Lakeshore Flood | Nov 21, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flood — Aug 9, 2024
The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Debby tracked northeast across Central New York on Friday August 9. As the system tracked across the region, heavy rain pushed into parts of the forecast area, with the heaviest rain falling over the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes and up to the North Central New York areas. Flash Flooding was the primary threat from the remnants of the system, but some strong to se...
Flash Flood — Aug 9, 2024
The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Debby tracked northeast across Central New York on Friday August 9. As the system tracked across the region, heavy rain pushed into parts of the forecast area, with the heaviest rain falling over the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes and up to the North Central New York areas. Flash Flooding was the primary threat from the remnants of the system, but some strong to se...
Flash Flood — Jul 10, 2023
A sharp upper level disturbance helped spawn slow moving showers and thunderstorms southeast of Lake Ontario over Oswego county. Very heavy rain was centered over central portions of Ontario County. There were numerous reports of closed roads. The highest rainfall reports received were 4.54 inches near Palermo and Phoenix with 3.54 inches near Mexico.
Flood — Oct 8, 2023
Heavy lake effect rain east of Lake Ontario caused flooding to occur in Oswego County. With cooler air aloft over the much warmer lake waters of Lake Ontario and with a vertically stacked low pressure system at the surface and mid-levels in place, a strong lake response developed east of Lake Ontario. This resulted in periods of heavy rain for Oswego County, resulting in flooding issues along C...
Flash Flood — Aug 7, 2023
A weak surface low tracked across western NY to the northeast of Lake Ontario from the afternoon to the late evening hours. Building instability and increased wind shear ahead of the low supported clusters of severe thunderstorms beginning late in the afternoon across the northern Finger Lakes. Additional northward moving severe storms that exhibited low-level rotation formed early in the eveni...
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 Oswego 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 Oswego 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.