Enter any address in Queens County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character in Queens County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 155 flash flood events, resulting in 13 fatalities. Coastal flooding also occurs, with 26 events and 7 deaths attributed to it during the same period. Recent flash flooding events in July 2025, caused by slow-moving frontal boundaries triggering heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, led to stranded vehicles and multiple road closures across the area.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $48,580 and an average water depth of 8.6 feet. Zone X, which includes both shaded and unshaded areas, also shows significant claim activity with high average payouts, particularly in Zone X_SHADED where the average water depth was 8.5 feet. Homeowners in coastal areas, as well as those in low-lying zones or areas without a defined Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
72 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Queens County, New York has recorded 206 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 155 flash floods and 18 river or area floods. The county has received 25 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 (1965–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Tornado | Sep 16, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornado | Severe Storm | Aug 8, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 30, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | — |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2025
A slow moving frontal boundary moved over the local area triggering heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across NJ and NYC causing flash flooding across the area resulting in vehicles being stranded and multiple road closures.
Flash Flood — Oct 30, 2025
A widespread rainfall of 1.5 to 2.5 inches resulted in flooding as a frontal system triggered thunderstorms across the NYC Metro area.
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 — Aug 13, 2025
Thunderstorms moved across Jamaica, Queens resulting in flooding and road closures.
Coastal Flood — Jan 13, 2024
Strong low pressure shifted northeast through the eastern Great Lakes on January 13, 2024, sending a warm front through during the morning hours, followed quickly by a cold front. Strong winds produced by this system, combined with peaking high astronomical tides associated with a recent new moon, produced widespread moderate to major coastal flooding along the entire southeast New York coastli...
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 Queens 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 Queens 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.