Enter any address in Steuben County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Steuben County. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 172 flash flood events, resulting in one fatality, alongside 7 general flood events. For instance, on May 5, 2025, locally heavy rainfall concentrated over portions of the county caused streams and creeks to exceed their banks, impacting area roads. Similar conditions were observed on multiple occasions on that date due to a stationary upper-level low pressure system.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, totaling 153. However, properties in Zone X and Zone X_SHADED have also seen significant claims, with average payouts of $4936 and $4406 respectively. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zones X and X_SHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
119 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Steuben County, New York has recorded 179 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 172 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 8, 2024 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred | Hurricane | Aug 18, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2014 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Flood | Apr 26, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Tropical Depression Ivan | Severe Storm | Sep 16, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 13, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2025 | 20.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 24, 2025
Thunderstorms formed along and ahead of a stationary front draped from southwest Pennsylvania to the east end of Lake Ontario. These storms moved very slowly over the Southern Tier of New York with repeating heavy rain producing cells concentrated over Steuben County.
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2025
Slow moving thunderstorms developed in a warm and humid airmass during the afternoon hours over the Southern Tier of NY. Rainfall rates were excessive and produced up to 3 inches of rain within a 1-to-2-hour time span. This led to areas of minor flash flooding, mostly confined to street and poor drainage areas in developed areas.
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2025
A storm system moving through the lower Great Lakes region triggered isolated thunderstorms over the Central Southern Tier of NY. A saturated atmosphere helped to support torrential rainfall over Steuben county which led to some flooding and washouts of local roads.
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2025
A warm and unstable environment ahead of an approaching cold front supported the development of scattered thunderstorms. Weak steering winds contributed to slow moving storms repeating over the same areas which contributed to areas of heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Several locations around central New York reported flooded roads along with washouts of culverts and small bridges.
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.
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 Steuben 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 Steuben 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.