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New York Flood Information

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By New York Water Science Center September 22, 2017

For emergency situations, please contact Art Lilienthal, Surface Water Specialist at the USGS New York Water Science Center or call our general number (518) 285-5600 and follow the directions to leave voicemail which will be immediately forwarded to a responsible party and responded to as quickly as possible.

Flooding can be a serious problem in many parts of New York State. Information on floods and analyses of flood data are needed to aid in the design of bridges, culverts, dams, highways, and buildings, and for the prudent management of flood-prone areas. Documentation of floods and a more thorough understanding of flood hydrology and hydraulics will result in more effective management of flood plains and design of structures.

The New York Water Science Center (NYWSC) provides information on the magnitude and frequency of floods to agencies and individuals involved in flood-protection, planning, and design. The NYWSC also develops regional flood-frequency relations for streams in New York to allow flood-frequency determinations at locations without stream gages and conducts local site studies using hydrologic and hydraulic analyses.

                                                                                                                                                            

Media
map of U.S. with green triangle markers
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Flood Inundation Map  USGS Flood Inundation Maps, along with Internet information regarding current stage from the USGS streamgage, provide emergency management personnel and residents with information that is critical for flood-response activities, such as evacuations and road closures, as well as for post-flood recovery efforts. (Public domain.)
Media
map of New York with orange dots for recorded peak stage and discharge
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
New York Peak Flows  This interactive map identifies locations (depicted as orange dots) in New York State where the New York Water Science Center has records of maximum recorded stages and discharges. Many of the locations have flood frequency statistics computed.  (Public domain.)
Media
colored dots on map of Long Island, NY
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Southeastern New York Coastal Monitoring Sites ​​​​​​​​​​​​  ​​​​​​​USGS real-time monitoring data for estuary and coastal-ocean sites in the southeastern New York region (Public domain.)

 

The New York Water Science Center collects, analyzes, and distributes data on a wide variety of water-related issues and resources. Much of our data is publicly available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), but additional datasets and analytical tools are also available.

Southeastern New York Coastal Monitoring Sites

USGS real-time monitoring data for estuary and coastal-ocean sites in the southeastern New York region
By
New York Water Science Center

USGS Flood Event Viewer - Sandy

The USGS Flood Event Viewer helps USGS and its partners to track of the storm and its impact on surface water levels. A storm track field is included from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and real-time USGS streamgage data and Rapid Deployment Gage data are linked through this map-based product.
By
New York Water Science Center

New York Peak Flows

Locations (depicted as orange dots) in New York State where the New York Water Science Center has records of maximum recorded stages and discharges.
By
New York Water Science Center

This list of New York Water Science Center publications spans from the late 1800's to present. It includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists.

Filter Total Items: 16

Analysis of storm-tide impacts from Hurricane Sandy in New York

The hybrid cyclone-nor’easter known as Hurricane Sandy affected the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States during October 28-30, 2012, causing extensive coastal flooding. Prior to storm landfall, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary monitoring network from Virginia to Maine to record the storm tide and coastal flooding generated by Hurricane Sandy. This sensor...
Authors
Christopher E. Schubert, Ronald J. Busciolano, Paul Hearn, Ami N. Rahav, Riley Behrens, Jason S. Finkelstein, Jack Monti, Jr., Amy E. Simonson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Measuring storm tide and high-water marks caused by Hurricane Sandy in New York: Chapter 2

In response to Hurricane Sandy, personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary network of storm-tide sensors from Virginia to Maine. During the storm, real-time water levels were available from tide gages and rapid-deployment gages (RDGs). After the storm, USGS scientists retrieved the storm-tide sensors and RDGs and surveyed high-water marks. These data...
Authors
Amy E. Simonson, Riley Behrens
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, New York Water Science Center

Maximum known stages and discharges of New York streams and their annual exceedance probabilities through September 2011

Maximum known stages and discharges at 1,400 sites on 796 streams within New York are tabulated. Stage data are reported in feet. Discharges are reported as cubic feet per second and in cubic feet per second per square mile. Drainage areas range from 0.03 to 298,800 square miles; excluding the three sites with larger drainage areas on the St. Lawrence and Niagara Rivers, which drain the...
Authors
Gary R. Wall, Patricia M. Murray, Richard Lumia, Thomas P. Suro
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Floods of 2011 in New York

Record rainfall combined with above-average temperatures and substantial spring snowmelt resulted in record flooding throughout New York during 2011. Rainfall totals in eastern New York were the greatest since 1895 and as much as 60 percent above the long-term average within the Catskill Mountains area and the Susquehanna River Basin. This report documents the three largest storms and...
Authors
Richard Lumia, Gary D. Firda, Travis L. Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Monitoring storm tide and flooding from Hurricane Sandy along the Atlantic coast of the United States, October 2012

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary monitoring network of water-level and barometric pressure sensors at 224 locations along the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Maine to continuously record the timing, areal extent, and magnitude of hurricane storm tide and coastal flooding generated by Hurricane Sandy. These records were greatly supplemented by an extensive post-flood...
Authors
Brian E. McCallum, Shaun Wicklein, Robert G. Reiser, Ronald J. Busciolano, Jonathan Morrison, Richard J. Verdi, Jaime A. Painter, Eric R. Frantz, Anthony J. Gotvald
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Hurricane Sandy

Flash floods of August 10, 2009, in the Villages of Gowanda and Silver Creek, New York

Late during the night of August 9, 2009, two storm systems intersected over western New York and produced torrential rain that caused severe flash flooding during the early morning hours of August 10 in parts of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Erie Counties. Nearly 6 inches of rain fell in 1.5 hours as recorded by a National Weather Service weather observer in Perrysburg, which lies between...
Authors
Carolyn O. Szabo, William F. Coon, Thomas A. Niziol
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Flood of June 26-29, 2006, Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River Basins, New York

A stalled frontal system caused tropical moisture to be funneled northward into New York, causing severe flooding in the Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River basins during June 26-29, 2006. Rainfall totals for this multi-day event ranged from 2 to 3 inches to greater than 13 inches in southern New York. The storm and flooding claimed four lives in New York, destroyed or damaged...
Authors
Thomas P. Suro, Gary D. Firda, Carolyn O. Szabo
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Flood of April 2-3, 2005, Esopus Creek Basin, New York

On April 2-3, 2005, heavy rain moved into southern New York and delivered rainfall amounts that ranged from about 2 in. to almost 6 in. within a 36-hour period. Significant flooding occurred on many small streams and tributaries in the area, and extensive flooding occurred on the Esopus and Roundout Creeks in Ulster and Greene Counties, New York. The flooding damaged many homes, caused...
Authors
Thomas P. Suro, Gary D. Firda
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Flood hazards— A national threat

In the late summer of 2005, the remarkable flooding brought by Hurricane Katrina, which caused more than \$ 200 billion in losses, constituted the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. However, even in typical years, flooding causes billions of dollars in damage and threatens lives and property in every State. Natural processes, such as hurricanes, weather systems, and snowmelt...
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey

Magnitude and Frequency of Floods in New York

Techniques are presented for estimating the magnitude and frequency of flood discharges on rural, unregulated streams in New York, excluding Long Island. Peak-discharge-frequency data and basin characteristics from 388 streamflow-gaging stations in New York and adjacent states were used to develop multiple linear regression equations for flood discharges with recurrence intervals ranging...
Authors
Richard Lumia, Douglas A. Freehafer, Martyn J. Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Flood of April 2-3, 2005, Neversink River Basin, New York

Heavy rain on April 2-3, 2005 produced rainfall amounts of 3 inches to almost 6 inches within a 36-hour period throughout the Delaware River basin. Major flooding occurred in the East and West Branches of the Delaware River and their tributaries, the main stem of the Delaware River and the Neversink River, a major tributary to the Delaware River. The resultant flooding damaged hundreds...
Authors
Thomas P. Suro, Gary D. Firda
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Flood of September 18-19, 2004 in the Upper Delaware River Basin, New York

The interaction between the remnants of tropical depression Ivan and a frontal boundary in the upper Delaware River basin on September 18-19, 2004, produced 4 to more than 6 inches of rainfall over a 5-county area within a 24-hour period. Significant flooding occurred on the East Branch Delaware River and its tributaries, and the main stem of the Delaware River. The resultant flooding...
Authors
Lloyd T. Brooks
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

The New York Water Science Center collects, analyzes, and distributes data on a wide variety of water-related issues and resources. Much of our data is publicly available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), but additional datasets and analytical tools are also available.

USGS Rainfall Calculator

Find out how much rain has fallen—how many gallons have come down from the skies onto your roof, yard, block, or town.
By
New York Water Science Center

For emergency situations, please contact Art Lilienthal, Surface Water Specialist at the USGS New York Water Science Center or call our general number (518) 285-5600 and follow the directions to leave voicemail which will be immediately forwarded to a responsible party and responded to as quickly as possible.

Flooding can be a serious problem in many parts of New York State. Information on floods and analyses of flood data are needed to aid in the design of bridges, culverts, dams, highways, and buildings, and for the prudent management of flood-prone areas. Documentation of floods and a more thorough understanding of flood hydrology and hydraulics will result in more effective management of flood plains and design of structures.

The New York Water Science Center (NYWSC) provides information on the magnitude and frequency of floods to agencies and individuals involved in flood-protection, planning, and design. The NYWSC also develops regional flood-frequency relations for streams in New York to allow flood-frequency determinations at locations without stream gages and conducts local site studies using hydrologic and hydraulic analyses.

                                                                                                                                                            

Media
map of U.S. with green triangle markers
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Flood Inundation Map  USGS Flood Inundation Maps, along with Internet information regarding current stage from the USGS streamgage, provide emergency management personnel and residents with information that is critical for flood-response activities, such as evacuations and road closures, as well as for post-flood recovery efforts. (Public domain.)
Media
map of New York with orange dots for recorded peak stage and discharge
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
New York Peak Flows  This interactive map identifies locations (depicted as orange dots) in New York State where the New York Water Science Center has records of maximum recorded stages and discharges. Many of the locations have flood frequency statistics computed.  (Public domain.)
Media
colored dots on map of Long Island, NY
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Southeastern New York Coastal Monitoring Sites ​​​​​​​​​​​​  ​​​​​​​USGS real-time monitoring data for estuary and coastal-ocean sites in the southeastern New York region (Public domain.)

 

The New York Water Science Center collects, analyzes, and distributes data on a wide variety of water-related issues and resources. Much of our data is publicly available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), but additional datasets and analytical tools are also available.

Southeastern New York Coastal Monitoring Sites

USGS real-time monitoring data for estuary and coastal-ocean sites in the southeastern New York region
By
New York Water Science Center

USGS Flood Event Viewer - Sandy

The USGS Flood Event Viewer helps USGS and its partners to track of the storm and its impact on surface water levels. A storm track field is included from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and real-time USGS streamgage data and Rapid Deployment Gage data are linked through this map-based product.
By
New York Water Science Center

New York Peak Flows

Locations (depicted as orange dots) in New York State where the New York Water Science Center has records of maximum recorded stages and discharges.
By
New York Water Science Center

This list of New York Water Science Center publications spans from the late 1800's to present. It includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists.

Filter Total Items: 16

Analysis of storm-tide impacts from Hurricane Sandy in New York

The hybrid cyclone-nor’easter known as Hurricane Sandy affected the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States during October 28-30, 2012, causing extensive coastal flooding. Prior to storm landfall, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary monitoring network from Virginia to Maine to record the storm tide and coastal flooding generated by Hurricane Sandy. This sensor...
Authors
Christopher E. Schubert, Ronald J. Busciolano, Paul Hearn, Ami N. Rahav, Riley Behrens, Jason S. Finkelstein, Jack Monti, Jr., Amy E. Simonson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Measuring storm tide and high-water marks caused by Hurricane Sandy in New York: Chapter 2

In response to Hurricane Sandy, personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary network of storm-tide sensors from Virginia to Maine. During the storm, real-time water levels were available from tide gages and rapid-deployment gages (RDGs). After the storm, USGS scientists retrieved the storm-tide sensors and RDGs and surveyed high-water marks. These data...
Authors
Amy E. Simonson, Riley Behrens
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, New York Water Science Center

Maximum known stages and discharges of New York streams and their annual exceedance probabilities through September 2011

Maximum known stages and discharges at 1,400 sites on 796 streams within New York are tabulated. Stage data are reported in feet. Discharges are reported as cubic feet per second and in cubic feet per second per square mile. Drainage areas range from 0.03 to 298,800 square miles; excluding the three sites with larger drainage areas on the St. Lawrence and Niagara Rivers, which drain the...
Authors
Gary R. Wall, Patricia M. Murray, Richard Lumia, Thomas P. Suro
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Floods of 2011 in New York

Record rainfall combined with above-average temperatures and substantial spring snowmelt resulted in record flooding throughout New York during 2011. Rainfall totals in eastern New York were the greatest since 1895 and as much as 60 percent above the long-term average within the Catskill Mountains area and the Susquehanna River Basin. This report documents the three largest storms and...
Authors
Richard Lumia, Gary D. Firda, Travis L. Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Monitoring storm tide and flooding from Hurricane Sandy along the Atlantic coast of the United States, October 2012

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary monitoring network of water-level and barometric pressure sensors at 224 locations along the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Maine to continuously record the timing, areal extent, and magnitude of hurricane storm tide and coastal flooding generated by Hurricane Sandy. These records were greatly supplemented by an extensive post-flood...
Authors
Brian E. McCallum, Shaun Wicklein, Robert G. Reiser, Ronald J. Busciolano, Jonathan Morrison, Richard J. Verdi, Jaime A. Painter, Eric R. Frantz, Anthony J. Gotvald
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Hurricane Sandy

Flash floods of August 10, 2009, in the Villages of Gowanda and Silver Creek, New York

Late during the night of August 9, 2009, two storm systems intersected over western New York and produced torrential rain that caused severe flash flooding during the early morning hours of August 10 in parts of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Erie Counties. Nearly 6 inches of rain fell in 1.5 hours as recorded by a National Weather Service weather observer in Perrysburg, which lies between...
Authors
Carolyn O. Szabo, William F. Coon, Thomas A. Niziol
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Flood of June 26-29, 2006, Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River Basins, New York

A stalled frontal system caused tropical moisture to be funneled northward into New York, causing severe flooding in the Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River basins during June 26-29, 2006. Rainfall totals for this multi-day event ranged from 2 to 3 inches to greater than 13 inches in southern New York. The storm and flooding claimed four lives in New York, destroyed or damaged...
Authors
Thomas P. Suro, Gary D. Firda, Carolyn O. Szabo
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Flood of April 2-3, 2005, Esopus Creek Basin, New York

On April 2-3, 2005, heavy rain moved into southern New York and delivered rainfall amounts that ranged from about 2 in. to almost 6 in. within a 36-hour period. Significant flooding occurred on many small streams and tributaries in the area, and extensive flooding occurred on the Esopus and Roundout Creeks in Ulster and Greene Counties, New York. The flooding damaged many homes, caused...
Authors
Thomas P. Suro, Gary D. Firda
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Flood hazards— A national threat

In the late summer of 2005, the remarkable flooding brought by Hurricane Katrina, which caused more than \$ 200 billion in losses, constituted the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. However, even in typical years, flooding causes billions of dollars in damage and threatens lives and property in every State. Natural processes, such as hurricanes, weather systems, and snowmelt...
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey

Magnitude and Frequency of Floods in New York

Techniques are presented for estimating the magnitude and frequency of flood discharges on rural, unregulated streams in New York, excluding Long Island. Peak-discharge-frequency data and basin characteristics from 388 streamflow-gaging stations in New York and adjacent states were used to develop multiple linear regression equations for flood discharges with recurrence intervals ranging...
Authors
Richard Lumia, Douglas A. Freehafer, Martyn J. Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Flood of April 2-3, 2005, Neversink River Basin, New York

Heavy rain on April 2-3, 2005 produced rainfall amounts of 3 inches to almost 6 inches within a 36-hour period throughout the Delaware River basin. Major flooding occurred in the East and West Branches of the Delaware River and their tributaries, the main stem of the Delaware River and the Neversink River, a major tributary to the Delaware River. The resultant flooding damaged hundreds...
Authors
Thomas P. Suro, Gary D. Firda
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Flood of September 18-19, 2004 in the Upper Delaware River Basin, New York

The interaction between the remnants of tropical depression Ivan and a frontal boundary in the upper Delaware River basin on September 18-19, 2004, produced 4 to more than 6 inches of rainfall over a 5-county area within a 24-hour period. Significant flooding occurred on the East Branch Delaware River and its tributaries, and the main stem of the Delaware River. The resultant flooding...
Authors
Lloyd T. Brooks
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

The New York Water Science Center collects, analyzes, and distributes data on a wide variety of water-related issues and resources. Much of our data is publicly available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), but additional datasets and analytical tools are also available.

USGS Rainfall Calculator

Find out how much rain has fallen—how many gallons have come down from the skies onto your roof, yard, block, or town.
By
New York Water Science Center
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