Enter any address in Putnam County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character in Putnam County. In July 2023, multiple rounds of torrential rainfall from heavy thunderstorms produced localized flash flooding, with some areas receiving 3-5 inches of rain in a few hours, and some spots seeing upwards of 8 inches. Similar heavy rainfall events, with rates of 1-2 inches per hour, occurred in June 2024, leading to localized flash flooding.
Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data indicates 24 flash flood events, 8 flood events, and 2 tropical storm events. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A and Zone X have experienced the most claims, with average payouts in the tens of thousands of dollars and average water depths of over five feet. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED which has seen the highest average payout, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Putnam County, New York has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 24 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 29 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 9, 2023 |
| Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2021 |
| Hurricane Henri | Hurricane | Aug 21, 2021 |
| Tropical Storm Isaias | Hurricane | Aug 4, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 11, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Inland And Coastal Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 14, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2008 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2025
A weak front approached from the west along with PW of 2 inches resulting in heavy rainfall across the area. 4 to 6.5 inches of rainfall totals were reported with rainfall rates between 1 to 2 inches.
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2024
A slow moving cold front allowed for widespread thunderstorm development on June 30th. MUCAPE values of 2000-3000 J/kg with PWATs near 2 allowed for thunderstorms to produce heavy rainfall with rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour. These thunderstorms moved through the Lower Hudson Valley and Connecticut resulting in 1 to 2 inches of rain, most of which fell over a one to two hour period. This...
Flash Flood — Dec 18, 2023
A warm front ahead of a developing coastal low pressure system positions itself over the area late on December 17th and into December 18th. As the low pressure intensified and approached, significant amounts of moisture focused along the warm front ahead of the coastal low resulting in widespread areas of heavy rainfall that occurred over a 12-18 hour period. PWATs were 1.5-1.7 inches which wer...
Flash Flood — Jul 10, 2023
A stalled frontal boundary remained over the area which produced multiple rounds of torrential rainfall form heavy thunderstorms from July 9th through July 10th. CAPE values of 2500 to 3500 J/kg and PWAT values of near 1.8 allowed heavy thunderstorm development to produce rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour at times. There were parts of the area that receive anywhere from 3-5 inches of rain i...
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2023
A stalled frontal boundary remained over the area which produced multiple rounds of torrential rainfall form heavy thunderstorms from July 9th through July 10th. CAPE values of 2500 to 3500 J/kg and PWAT values of near 1.8 allowed heavy thunderstorm development to produce rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour at times. There were parts of the area that receive anywhere from 3-5 inches of rain i...
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 Putnam 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 Putnam 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.