Enter any address in Yates County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates the flood character of Yates County. Recent events include localized flash flooding from torrential rainfall on June 9, 2025, and widespread flash flooding caused by tropical moisture and remnants of Tropical Storm Debby on August 9, 2024.
Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED should pay the most attention to flood risk. Zone A has experienced the highest number of NFIP claims, with an average payout of $5,042 and an average water depth of 1.3 feet. Zone X_UNSHADED, while having fewer claims, shows significantly higher average payouts of $20,976 and an average water depth of 6.1 feet, indicating potentially more severe impacts when flooding occurs in this zone.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
24 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Yates County, New York has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 43 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 5 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 13, 2004 |
| Power Outage | Other | Aug 14, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2021 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2021 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Apr 20, 2017 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Apr 20, 2017 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 14, 2017 | 40.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 14, 2017 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2017 | 8.00K |
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 — 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...
Flash Flood — Aug 18, 2021
The moisture and remnants of Tropical Storm Fred moved across parts of the mid-Atlantic and northeast United States between August 18 to 20. As this feature moved over the central parts of New York and northeast Pennsylvania it produced locally heavy rainfall and severe flash flooding. Steuben County New York was one of the hardest hit areas with over 500 homes and businesses affected by floodi...
Flood — Apr 20, 2017
An area of moderate to heavy rain, with embedded thunderstorms, moved through Central New York causing areas of common urban flooding and ponding of water in a few locations.
Flash Flood — Sep 14, 2017
A slow moving area of weak low pressure drifted across western and central New York producing areas of heavy rain producing thunderstorms across the Finger Lakes region. Flash flooding, and isolated debris flows, along the western shore of Seneca Lake were the result of local downpours in excess of 2 inches per hour.
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 Yates 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 Yates 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.