FloodZoneMap.org

Flash Flood — Erie, NY

Jan 30, 2008

Strong winds following the passage of a cold front caused the Lake Erie water level to substantially rise from Ripley to Buffalo. The high water levels and waves to twelve to sixteen feet resulted in erosion of the lake shore and significant flooding at the extreme eastern end of the lake. Roads along the lake shore were water covered or closed because of spray. Flood waters inundated the First Ward (West Side) of the city of Buffalo with entire neighborhoods under water. The Lake Erie water lev

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 77845). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for Erie, NY

This event is one of many recorded floods in Erie County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

View Erie County flood data →

More Flood Stories

Lakeshore Flood$5.5M damage

Northern Erie, NY · Nov 1, 2019

A deepening area of consolidated low pressure tracked from the north shoreline of Lake Erie to Toronto, and then along the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario Thursday evening, October 31st.

Read the full account →
Lakeshore Flood$5.5M damage

Southern Erie, NY · Nov 1, 2019

A deepening area of consolidated low pressure tracked from the north shoreline of Lake Erie to Toronto, and then along the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario Thursday evening, October 31st.

Read the full account →
Lakeshore Flood$500K damage

Southern Erie, NY · Dec 23, 2022

A historic lake effect blizzard occurred northeast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario during the Christmas holiday weekend. The combination of high winds in excess of 70 mph and heavy lake effect snow resulted in devastating impacts across western New York and also east of Lake…

Read the full account →
Lakeshore Flood$3.0M damage

Southern Erie, NY · Oct 31, 2019

A deepening area of consolidated low pressure tracked from the north shoreline of Lake Erie to Toronto, and then along the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario Thursday evening, October 31st.

Read the full account →