New York City, NY Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
New York City faces severe coastal flood risk from hurricane storm surge and nor'easters across its 520 miles of coastline. Hurricane Sandy inundated large portions of Lower Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Rockaways, causing billions in damage.
New York County has recorded 1,492 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $120.5M 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
New York County
Avg. Premium
$466/yr
New York County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: New York 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
Very HighEst. annual loss: $187.0M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $1.2M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $23.2M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: New York County
New York County has been included in 11 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 3 earlier declarations since 1971.
These declarations affected communities across New York County, including New York City.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: New York County
Properties in New York County have filed 1,492 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $120.5M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $81K.
Highest-Claim Years
2012
670 claims - $111.6M
2021
110 claims - $2.0M
2011
70 claims - $949K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: New York County
Only roughly 1 in 669,427 households in New York County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.0% of estimated households). With 71 recorded flood events and $114M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.0%
roughly 1 in 669,427 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
1,492 claims over 45+ years across 1 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$80,759
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, New York County has averaged 1492.0 claims for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include New York City.
What Your Flood Zone Means in New York City
New York City faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in New York City are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone AO, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $187.0M. Properties in New York City's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements. New York City has Zone AO areas subject to sheet-flow flooding, where shallow water spreads across broad, flat terrain rather than channeling through waterways.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in New York City means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. 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.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any New York City address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: New York County
New York County has 61 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 2 severe repetitive loss properties. 1 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
61
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
2
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
1
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 56 of 61 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: New York County
NOAA has recorded 71 flood events in New York County since 1996, causing $114M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: New York County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 14 properties in New York County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
New York City, NY Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in New York City, NY?
The most common FEMA flood zones in New York City are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone AO, 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 New York City?
If your New York City 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 New York City?
Enter your New York City 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.
How high is flood risk in New York City?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, New York County (where New York City is located) has a "Very High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $187.0M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has New York City experienced major flooding events?
New York County, where New York City is located, has been part of 11 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in New York City?
New York County has recorded 1,492 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $120.5M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2012, with 670 claims and $111.6M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including New York City.
How many flood insurance policies are active in New York City?
New York County currently has 1 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $466. The most policies are in Zone AE (1 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many New York City properties have flooded repeatedly?
New York County has 61 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 2 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 New York City 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 New York City?
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 New York City's Zone AE and Zone VE 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
Look Up Any New York City, NY Address
Enter a New York City, NY address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
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.