Erie, PA Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Erie faces flooding from Lake Erie storm surge, Mill Creek, and other urban streams. Lake Erie water levels and storm-driven waves can cause coastal flooding and erosion along the bayfront.
Erie County has recorded 511 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $6.0M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 3
NFIP Policies
446
Erie County
Avg. Premium
$993/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 ModerateEst. annual loss: $38.2M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $8K
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $598K
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 5 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Erie County, including Erie.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Erie County
Properties in Erie County have filed 511 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $6.0M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $12K.
Highest-Claim Years
1985
88 claims - $611K
1979
70 claims - $179K
1996
26 claims - $423K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Erie County
Only roughly 1 in 240 households in Erie County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.4% of estimated households). With 68 recorded flood events and $36.4M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.4%
roughly 1 in 240 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
511 claims over 45+ years across 446 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$11,689
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Erie County has averaged 1.1 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 Erie.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Erie
Erie 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 Erie are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $38.2M. Properties in Erie's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Erie 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 Erie address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Erie County
Erie County has 49 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 3 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
49
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
3
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
1
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 47 of 49 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Erie County
NOAA has recorded 68 flood events in Erie County since 1996, causing $36.4M in damage and 2 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Erie, PA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Erie, PA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Erie are Zone AE, Zone VE, 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 Erie?
If your Erie 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 Erie?
Enter your Erie 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.
What type of flooding affects Erie?
Erie is primarily affected by both coastal storm surge and inland flooding. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Erie address.
Has Erie experienced major flooding events?
Erie County, where Erie is located, has been part of 5 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 Erie?
Erie County has recorded 511 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $6.0M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1985, with 88 claims and $611K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Erie.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Erie?
Erie County currently has 446 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $993. The most policies are in Zone X (157 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Erie properties have flooded repeatedly?
Erie County has 49 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 3 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 Erie 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 Erie?
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 Erie'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.
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Look Up Any Erie, PA Address
Enter a Erie, PA 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.