Amherst, New York Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Amherst faces flooding from Ellicott Creek and Tonawanda Creek in Erie County. Heavy rainfall events cause these waterways to overflow and flood low-lying residential and commercial areas.
Erie County has recorded 2,477 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $12.6M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 2
NFIP Policies
1,746
Erie County
Avg. Premium
$1,088/yr
Erie County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Erie County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $205.3M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $42K
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $649K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Erie County
Erie County has been included in 2 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Erie County, including Amherst.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Erie County
Properties in Erie County have filed 2,477 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $12.6M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $5K.
Highest-Claim Years
1979
723 claims - $2.2M
1985
413 claims - $2.8M
1982
113 claims - $174K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Erie County
An estimated 0.5% of households in Erie County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Penetration Rate
0.5%
Claims Ratio
1 in 1
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$5,078
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Erie County
Erie County has 150 properties with multiple flood losses, including 14 severe repetitive loss properties. 1 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
150
Severe Rep. Loss
14
Mitigated
1
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: ERIE County
NOAA has recorded 151 flood events in ERIE County since 1996, causing $23.1M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Erie County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 1 properties in Erie County, investing $120K in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Amherst
Amherst faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Amherst are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $205.3M.
Riverine flood risk in Amherst is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Amherst address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Amherst
Amherst participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 8
SFHA Premium Discount
10% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Amherst's Class 8 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Amherst, NY Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Amherst, NY?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Amherst are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Amherst?
If your Amherst property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Amherst?
Enter your Amherst address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Amherst offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Amherst participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 8 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 10% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Amherst experienced major flooding events?
Erie County, where Amherst is located, has been part of 2 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Amherst?
Erie County has recorded 2,477 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $12.6M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1979, with 723 claims and $2.2M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Amherst.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Amherst?
Erie County currently has 1,746 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,088. The most policies are in Zone AE (1,138 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Amherst properties have flooded repeatedly?
Erie County has 150 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 14 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Amherst property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Amherst?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Amherst's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other New York Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.