Enter any address in Otsego County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character in Otsego County. Between 2020 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 67 flash flood events and 11 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on June 7, 2025, caused by slow-moving thunderstorms that dropped 2 to 3 inches of rain in a few hours, leading to urban and small stream flooding, as well as road and bridge washouts. Another event on June 22, 2025, saw 3 to 5 inches of rain fall within a six-hour period, resulting in widespread flash flooding and small river flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $16,529 and an average water depth of 10.2 feet. While Zone X claims have a higher average payout of $22,401 and an average water depth of 11.6 feet, properties in Zone X_SHADED have seen the highest average payouts at $33,741 with an average water depth of 9.6 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zones X and X_SHADED, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
37 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Otsego County, New York has recorded 78 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 67 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 27 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1993–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Henri | Hurricane | Aug 21, 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 | Severe Storm | May 13, 2014 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 26, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Severe Storm | Sep 7, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
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 7, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 8.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2023 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2023 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2023 | 0.00K |
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 — Jun 7, 2025
Low pressure moving along a stationary front positioned over South Central New York triggered slow-moving, heavy rain-producing thunderstorms during the early morning hours. Pockets of 2 to 3 inches of rain fell over just a few hours causing urban and small stream flash flooding along with road and bridge washouts.
Flash Flood — Aug 9, 2024
A deep plume of tropical moisture had spread over Central New York ahead of the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. Prolonged torrential rains blanketed the region during the night and early morning hours before becoming enhanced by the approaching tropical remnants. This enhancement of rainfall led to widespread flash flooding in many parts of the region where roads and bridges were destroyed an...
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 — Jul 7, 2023
A cold front supported scattered heavy rain-producing thunderstorms across Central New York. Multiple storms formed over the same locations, providing parts of the region with excessive amounts between 2 to 4 inches.
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 Otsego 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 Otsego 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.