Enter any address in Cheyenne County, Kansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Cheyenne County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 37 flash flood events compared to 3 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on August 7, 2023, which occurred alongside severe thunderstorms producing large hail and damaging winds. Another flash flood event on May 11, 2023, was associated with a high-impact storm system that also produced tornadoes and hail.
Residents in Cheyenne County should be aware of flood risks, particularly those in areas identified by FEMA as being at higher risk. While specific NFIP claim data by zone is not provided, it is generally advisable for homeowners, journalists, and real estate agents to consult detailed flood maps and consider flood insurance, especially for properties located in identified flood zones or areas prone to rapid water accumulation during heavy rainfall.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
23 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cheyenne County, Kansas has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 37 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (2005–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 18, 2025 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Snowstorm | Apr 28, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 2, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 7, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 6, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 28, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 16, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 24, 2020 | 0.10K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2020 | 0.10K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2025
Thunderstorms across northwest Kansas had it its eye on Cheyenne county during the evening of the 10th leading to quarter size hail, 58 mph winds and flooding.
Flash Flood — May 11, 2023
A high impact storm system moved across Northwest Kansas. The storm system produced an environment that was favorable for any of the developing thunderstorms to produce a tornado, which led to multiple tornadoes occurring on this day. The strongest tornado was rated an EF-1 which caused damage to the high school in Weskan. ||Otherwise thunderstorms produced hail up to half dollar in size near...
Flash Flood — Jul 8, 2023
In the middle afternoon, storms began forming in northeastern Colorado. As the day progresses, a line of storm cells formed with one cell producing multiple wind gusts around 100 MPH based on the tree damage left behind. These storms also produced hail up to quarter in size. Flash flooding occurred in St. Francis due to the accumulating hail and heavy rainfall causing Highway 36 to become imp...
Flood — Aug 7, 2023
During the late afternoon and evening hours of August 7th, a frontal boundary moved across Northwestern Kansas allowing for showers and thunderstorms to develop within the region. Some of these thunderstorms became severe and produced large hail up to softballs in size, a brief landspout, damaging wind gusts up to an estimated 70 mph, and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding. Winds from the...
Flash Flood — Aug 7, 2023
During the late afternoon and evening hours of August 7th, a frontal boundary moved across Northwestern Kansas allowing for showers and thunderstorms to develop within the region. Some of these thunderstorms became severe and produced large hail up to softballs in size, a brief landspout, damaging wind gusts up to an estimated 70 mph, and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding. Winds from the...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Cheyenne County, Kansas:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Cheyenne County, Kansas that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.