Yonkers, NY Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Yonkers faces coastal flooding from the Hudson River and Long Island Sound, as well as flash flooding from the Saw Mill River. Waterfront areas are vulnerable to storm surge and tidal flooding.
Westchester County has recorded 12,245 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $272.5M 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
9,532
Westchester County
Avg. Premium
$1,199/yr
Westchester County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Westchester 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: $147.9M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $2.1M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $14.9M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Westchester County
Westchester County has been included in 17 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 9 earlier declarations since 1971.
These declarations affected communities across Westchester County, including Yonkers.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Westchester County
Properties in Westchester County have filed 12,245 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $272.5M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $22K.
Highest-Claim Years
2021
1,829 claims - $106.3M
2011
1,374 claims - $34.7M
2007
1,346 claims - $41.0M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Westchester County
Only roughly 1 in 42 households in Westchester County carries NFIP flood insurance (2% of estimated households). With 270 recorded flood events and $99.3M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
2%
roughly 1 in 42 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
12,245 claims over 45+ years across 9,532 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$22,252
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Westchester County has averaged 1.3 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 Yonkers.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Yonkers
Yonkers 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 Yonkers are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $147.9M.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Yonkers 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 Yonkers address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Westchester County
Westchester County has 1,316 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 336 severe repetitive loss properties. 11 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
1,316
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
336
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
11
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 1,263 of 1,316 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Westchester County
NOAA has recorded 270 flood events in Westchester County since 1996, causing $99.3M in damage and 6 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Westchester County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 30 properties in Westchester County, investing $276K 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.
Yonkers, NY Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Yonkers, NY?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Yonkers 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 Yonkers?
If your Yonkers 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 Yonkers?
Enter your Yonkers 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 Yonkers?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Westchester County (where Yonkers is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $147.9M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Yonkers experienced major flooding events?
Westchester County, where Yonkers is located, has been part of 17 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storm and Flooding in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Yonkers?
Westchester County has recorded 12,245 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $272.5M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2021, with 1,829 claims and $106.3M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Yonkers.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Yonkers?
Westchester County currently has 9,532 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,199. The most policies are in Zone X (5,567 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Yonkers properties have flooded repeatedly?
Westchester County has 1,316 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 336 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 Yonkers 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 Yonkers?
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 Yonkers'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.