Central NY/Northeast PA Flash Flood Climatology

The following data is a brief analysis of the flash flood climatology for the NWS Binghamton, NY service area between the years 1986 to 2015. Central New York and Northeast Pennsylvania are prone to heavy rain and flash flooding with an average of about 34 flash floods per year throughout the region. The following are some basic facts about flash flooding in the area.

There have been 1025 reported flash flood events between 1986 and 2015.

Flash floods have occurred on a total 264 days, which over the course of 30 years equals about 37 weeks.

On average, a flash flood will occur on 9 days per any given year.

Some of the worst years have seen the equivalent of 3 weeks worth of flash flooding (1994, 2004, 2011).

Thirty-one (31) people have died as the result of a flash flood in our region. (Fatality data only available since 1996)

The average number of flash floods per county is 43.

On average, most counties are likely to see 1 flash flood per year.

Other statistics show a fairly common pattern to flash flooding across the Nation. Most flash floods occur during the summer months, and between the hours of 3 PM and 9 PM. This is due to the fact that the majority of flash floods are associated with afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Click the images below to expand.

**Flash Flood Climatology (1986 - 2015)**





Flash Flood Data collected from the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI)