Syracuse, NY Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Syracuse faces flooding from Onondaga Creek, Harbor Brook, and Ley Creek. The city's aging infrastructure and combined sewer system contribute to urban flooding during heavy rainfall events.
Onondaga County has recorded 964 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $8.5M 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
1,529
Onondaga County
Avg. Premium
$1,298/yr
Onondaga County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Onondaga 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: $77.5M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $1.3M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Onondaga County
Onondaga County has been included in 8 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Onondaga County, including Syracuse.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Onondaga County
Properties in Onondaga County have filed 964 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $8.5M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $9K.
Highest-Claim Years
1993
190 claims - $1.9M
1981
118 claims - $703K
1979
67 claims - $144K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Onondaga County
Only roughly 1 in 123 households in Onondaga County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.8% of estimated households). With 68 recorded flood events and $36.3M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.8%
roughly 1 in 123 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 2
964 claims over 45+ years across 1,529 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$8,843
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Onondaga 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 Syracuse.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Syracuse
Syracuse 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 Syracuse are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $77.5M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Syracuse 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 Syracuse 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 Syracuse address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Onondaga County
Onondaga County has 59 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
59
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
4
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 54 of 59 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Onondaga County
NOAA has recorded 68 flood events in Onondaga County since 1996, causing $36.3M in damage and 2 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Onondaga County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 18 properties in Onondaga County, investing $55K 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.
Flood Insurance Discount: Syracuse
Syracuse 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 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Syracuse's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% 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.
Syracuse, NY Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Syracuse, NY?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Syracuse 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 Syracuse?
If your Syracuse 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 Syracuse?
Enter your Syracuse 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 Syracuse offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Syracuse participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Syracuse experienced major flooding events?
Onondaga County, where Syracuse is located, has been part of 8 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred 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 Syracuse?
Onondaga County has recorded 964 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $8.5M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1993, with 190 claims and $1.9M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Syracuse.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Syracuse?
Onondaga County currently has 1,529 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,298. The most policies are in Zone AE (1,122 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Syracuse properties have flooded repeatedly?
Onondaga County has 59 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 Syracuse 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 Syracuse?
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 Syracuse'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.
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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.