Rochester, NY Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Rochester faces flooding from the Genesee River, which flows through downtown, and from Lake Ontario storm surge. Spring snowmelt and heavy rainfall can cause the Genesee River to exceed flood stage.
Monroe County has recorded 817 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $4.8M 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
1,548
Monroe County
Avg. Premium
$996/yr
Monroe County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Monroe 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: $102.6M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $14K
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $521K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Monroe County
Monroe County has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Monroe County, including Rochester.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Monroe County
Properties in Monroe County have filed 817 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $4.8M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $6K.
Highest-Claim Years
2017
119 claims - $968K
1993
103 claims - $244K
1998
98 claims - $606K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Monroe County
Only roughly 1 in 194 households in Monroe County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.5% of estimated households). With 89 recorded flood events and $6.5M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.5%
roughly 1 in 194 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 2
817 claims over 45+ years across 1,548 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$5,858
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Monroe County has averaged 1 claim for every 2 active policies (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 Rochester.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Rochester
Rochester faces multiple inland flood threats, including riverine flooding from nearby waterways and flash flooding from intense rainfall overwhelming urban drainage systems. Properties near river corridors face the highest risk, but stormwater backup can affect neighborhoods well outside the mapped floodplain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Rochester are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $102.6M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Rochester depend heavily on a property's elevation relative to nearby waterways and the local drainage infrastructure. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 prices in multiple inland flood sources rather than relying on the flood zone line alone. 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 zone boundaries in Rochester can shift when FEMA updates its Flood Insurance Studies or when upstream development changes how water moves through the watershed. New stormwater infrastructure or dam modifications can also trigger map revisions. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Rochester address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Monroe County
Monroe County has 42 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 4 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
42
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
4
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Monroe County
NOAA has recorded 89 flood events in Monroe County since 1996, causing $6.5M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Monroe County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 38 properties in Monroe County, investing $345K 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.
Rochester, NY Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Rochester, NY?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Rochester 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 Rochester?
If your Rochester 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 Rochester?
Enter your Rochester 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 Rochester?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Monroe County (where Rochester is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $102.6M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Rochester experienced major flooding events?
Monroe County, where Rochester is located, has been part of 6 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Flooding in 2017. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Rochester?
Monroe County has recorded 817 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $4.8M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2017, with 119 claims and $968K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Rochester.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Rochester?
Monroe County currently has 1,548 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $996. The most policies are in Zone AE (844 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Rochester properties have flooded repeatedly?
Monroe County has 42 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 4 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 Rochester 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 Rochester?
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 Rochester'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
Look Up Any Rochester, NY Address
Enter a Rochester, 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.