Enter any address in Seneca County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates Seneca County's flood events. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 22 flash flood events compared to 4 general flood events. Recent examples include localized flash flooding on June 9, 2025, caused by torrential rainfall from thunderstorms, and widespread flash flooding on August 9, 2024, resulting from prolonged torrential rains enhanced by tropical moisture.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $12,402 and an average water depth of 2.6 feet. However, Zone X_UNSHADED properties have seen the highest average payout at $15,800, despite a lower average water depth of 0.3 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in any flood zone, particularly those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Seneca County, New York has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 12 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 (1972–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Aug 13, 2018 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2004 |
| Power Outage | Other | Aug 14, 2003 |
| Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Apr 3, 2003 |
| Fires And Explosions | Fire | Sep 11, 2001 |
| West Nile Virus | Other | May 22, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2023 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2023 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2021 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2021 | 140.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2025
A slow-moving cold front arrived during the evening hours, moving into a very moist environment. The unstable atmosphere produced several thunderstorms, a few of which produced torrential rainfall and localized flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2024
A slow-moving cluster of thunderstorms developed along a boundary in a hot, humid and unstable environment. Isolated rain amounts in excess of 2.5 to 3.0 inches over a short period of time during the afternoon swelled local creeks and streams causing flooding in portions of Steuben and Cortland counties. A flooded road also occurred earlier in Seneca County, with initial activity the prior even...
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...
Flood — Apr 5, 2023
A strong upper level weather disturbance tapped into an unusually moist airmass to produce heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
Flash Flood — Oct 26, 2021
Deep moisture from the Atlantic Ocean was fed into a warm frontal zone located over Central New York by low pressure near New York City. This led to areas of moderate to heavy rainfall totaling between 3 to 5 inches of rain with locally higher amounts. This rainfall led to widespread flash flooding across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region.
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 Seneca 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 Seneca 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.