Enter any address in Schenectady County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is a significant flood character in Schenectady County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 51 flood events and 41 flash flood events. Recent examples include flooding reported on July 29, 2023, following a thunderstorm that tracked across the Mohawk Valley, and widespread heavy rainfall leading to flooding from April 7-8, 2022.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $33,332 and an average water depth of 10.8 feet. Properties in Zone X also show substantial claims, averaging $20,384 with 5.8 feet of water. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X_SHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
41 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Schenectady County, New York has recorded 94 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 41 flash floods and 51 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1987–2021)
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 Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Severe Storm | Sep 7, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 11, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 26, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 15, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 13, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 8, 2022 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Apr 7, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2020 | 1.00K |
Flood — Jul 16, 2024
The second of three days of hot and humid conditions continued across eastern New York on July 16, 2024. Heat index (feels-like temperatures) reached 95 to 104 degrees across much of the Mohawk and Hudson valleys.||During the afternoon hours, a strong upper level disturbance developed an organized line of thunderstorms which tracked eastward across the region. Widespread severe weather occurred...
Flood — Jul 29, 2023
Showers and thunderstorms developed along a frontal boundary during the afternoon hours on July 29th across eastern New York. One lone thunderstorm tracked across the Mohawk Valley resulting in numerous reports of downed trees and powerlines as well as a couple of flood reports. Prior to the arrival of these thunderstorms, the combination of hot and humid conditions resulted in heat index value...
Flood — Jul 14, 2023
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms ahead and along a cold frontal boundary resulted in widespread downed trees and wires and a few reports of flooding across eastern New York during the afternoon and evening hours of July 13, 2023. One injury was reported as a tree fell onto an occupied vehicle. Thousands were left without power across the Capital Region.||Additional isolated to scattered...
Flood — Dec 23, 2022
Two separate frontal systems merged to form a powerful winter storm over the Great Lakes from December 22 to December 24 bringing multiple hazards to the region including heavy rain, snow, strong winds and a very cold air mass in its wake.||Widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches were observed with some localized amounts of 4 inches. The combination of the rain and snowmelt in some places ...
Flood — May 15, 2022
A multi-cluster batch of showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall that resulted in multiple flash flood reports and also produced a few damaging wind reports across eastern New York during the afternoon and evening hours of May 15, 2022.
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 Schenectady 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 Schenectady 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.