Enter any address in Wyoming County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Wyoming County. Recent events include heavy rainfall causing flooding of park roads and trails at Letchworth State Park in July 2023, and a significant flash flood event in July 2024 driven by atmospheric instability.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a mix of flood zones. Zone A, typically considered high-risk, has had the highest number of claims (65) with an average payout of $9,170 and an average water depth of 0.7 feet. Zone X_UNSHADED, a moderate-risk area, has seen fewer claims (16) but a higher average payout of $12,378, with an unusual average water depth of -0.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED, characterized by an average water depth of 5.7 feet, have also experienced claims.
Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and those located near creeks and rivers should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
35 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wyoming County, New York has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 28 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 24 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 (1972–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Winter Storm | Nov 18, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Snowstorm | Nov 17, 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2004 |
| Power Outage | Other | Aug 14, 2003 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jul 21, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 29, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jul 13, 2017 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2017 | 30.00K |
| Flood | Jan 13, 2017 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Nov 5, 2017 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2015 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2015 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2015 | 150.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2024
A strong upper-level trough and mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) crossed western and central New York during the afternoon on July 15, 2024. Timing with the MCV corresponded with favorable daytime heating and partly to mostly sunny skies ahead of the system. This resulted in more than 2,000 J/kg of CAPE across much of the region south & southeast of Lake Ontario. Combined with the dynamic natu...
Flash Flood — Jul 3, 2023
A slow moving front and a very moist airmass yielded slow moving thunderstorms that dumped heavy rain over southeast Wyoming county with portions of park roads and hiking trails flooded at Letchworth State Park. The front then stalled out during the evening along the New York and Pennsylvania state line leading to multiple rounds of slow moving thunderstorms crossing the same areas with drenchi...
Flood — Jun 29, 2021
Strong surface heating with temperatures in the 90s and dewpoints in the 70s resulted in sufficient destabilization for storms to form, specifically along lake breeze boundaries in the middle to late afternoon. A Heat Advisory was in effect for lower elevations excluding Jefferson County. Surface based instability was strong and precipitable water values were almost 2 inches. Shear was minimal ...
Flood — Jul 13, 2017
A convective complex moved across Western New York late in the morning. This produced a quick 2 to 4 inches of rain which covered a significant portion of the region and resulted in flash flooding that impacted the Buffalo metro area, the Boston/Wyoming hills and parts of the northern Finger Lakes Region. The flash flooding resulted in numerous road closures, including: Back Creek Road in Bos...
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2017
A convective complex moved across Western New York late in the morning. This produced a quick 2 to 4 inches of rain which covered a significant portion of the region and resulted in flash flooding that impacted the Buffalo metro area, the Boston/Wyoming hills and parts of the northern Finger Lakes Region. The flash flooding resulted in numerous road closures, including: Back Creek Road in Bos...
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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming 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.