Enter any address in Washington County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding events are the most frequent type of flood recorded in Washington County, NY over the last 30 years, with 62 occurrences, followed by general floods with 91 events. Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby brought heavy rain and flash flooding to the region on August 9, 2024. On December 18, 2023, widespread moderate to heavy rainfall led to areal and river flooding, with some rivers remaining high for several days.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths, suggesting significant flood impacts in these areas. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED, Zone X, and Zone X_SHADED, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
91 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Washington County, New York has recorded 155 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 62 flash floods and 91 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 (1976–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2004 |
| Power Outage | Other | Aug 14, 2003 |
| Earthquake | Earthquake | Apr 20, 2002 |
| Fires And Explosions | Fire | Sep 11, 2001 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2021 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2021 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 9, 2024
On August 9, 2024, remnants of Tropical Storm Debby impacted eastern New York, bringing periods of heavy rain and gusty winds. Total rainfall accumulations generally ranged from about 1-4 with several instances of flash flooding in the Capital District and isolated instances in the Eastern Catskills and Upper-Hudson Valley. Non-thunderstorm wind gusts throughout eastern New York peaked between ...
Flood — Dec 18, 2023
An area of low pressure tracked up the East Coast and intensified in the process as it brought widespread moderate to heavy rainfall across eastern New York on December 18, 2023. Rainfall totals were between 2 and 5 inches with the highest amounts across the eastern Catskills. This rain led to both areal and river flooding across the region. Some rivers didn't recede until December 22.||States ...
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2023
A couple of rounds of showers and thunderstorms resulted in wind damage and flash flooding over parts of eastern New York on July 16, 2023. One round occurred during the early morning hours which resulted in some downed trees and wires as well as some street flooding and washouts, primarily across the mid-Hudson Valley. The second round moved through during the afternoon leading to some floodin...
Flash Flood — Sep 19, 2022
A cluster of showers and thunderstorms resulted in downed trees and powerlines, a couple of hail reports, and a flood report over eastern New York during the afternoon hours on September 19, 2022.
Flood — Jul 29, 2021
Bands of moderate to heavy rainfall set up across areas north of Interstate 90 during the afternoon and evening hours on Thursday, July 29, 2021 north of a warm front and area of low pressure. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain fell which resulted in several reports of flash flooding. In addition, a few stronger thunderstorms produced some damaging winds, downing trees and power lines. The areas ha...
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 Washington 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 Washington 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.