Enter any address in Hayes County, Nebraska to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall is the primary flood concern in Hayes County, Nebraska. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 25 flash flood events and 3 general flood events. For example, on May 26, 2023, very heavy rain caused flash flooding across southern Hayes County, leading to the closure of Highway 25 and Highway 6 due to water covering the roadway.
Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those located in lower elevations or downstream from heavy rainfall zones, should be aware of potential risks. Homeowners without flood insurance, or those whose properties are not built to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), may face greater financial exposure in the event of a flood.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hayes County, Nebraska has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1967–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 9, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 6, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 19, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Ice Jams, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 6, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 22, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 28, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2023 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2023 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2023 | 100.00K |
| Flood | May 26, 2023 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2015 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2011 | 3.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 26, 2023
During the early morning hours of May 26th, very heavy rain fell across southern portions of Chase and Hayes counties in southwestern Nebraska. The heavy rainfall led to flash flooding over southern Chase and southern Hayes counties in Nebraska. Highway 6 and highway 61 were closed in southeastern Chase County due to water covering the roadway. Highway 25 and highway 6 was also closed in southe...
Flood — May 26, 2023
During the early morning hours of May 26th, very heavy rain fell across southern portions of Chase and Hayes counties in southwestern Nebraska. The heavy rainfall led to flash flooding over southern Chase and southern Hayes counties in Nebraska. Highway 6 and highway 61 were closed in southeastern Chase County due to water covering the roadway. Highway 25 and highway 6 was also closed in southe...
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2019
Thunderstorms developed in the evening across southwest Nebraska. An isolated thunderstorm developed late evening across the northern Sandhills.
Flash Flood — May 28, 2018
A persistent upper level low pressure system, which has been present across the western U.S. for much of the month of May, again has been the trigger for another round of severe weather across the area to end the month.
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2015
Thunderstorms developed across the Nebraska panhandle and northeast Colorado during the afternoon. The storms intensified and expanded as they moved into southwest Nebraska, producing severe wind gusts and large hail. Training storms over Chase and Hayes counties led to rainfall amounts up to 3 in spots and localized flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Hayes County, Nebraska:
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 Hayes County, Nebraska 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.