Enter any address in Hitchcock County, Nebraska to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Hitchcock County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 15 flash flood events and 4 flood events. For example, in May 2023, slow-moving thunderstorms produced 6.5 to 9.5 inches of rain across the county, leading to flooding that persisted for several days. Another instance occurred in May 2021, when heavy rainfall in the Stratton area caused a culvert and county road to be washed out.
Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near drainage paths or in low-lying areas, should be aware of their flood risk. Homeowners in these locations, as well as those without flood insurance or whose properties are not elevated to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood preparedness and potential risks.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hitchcock County, Nebraska has recorded 19 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 9 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1990–2024)
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 Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 28, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 19, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuees | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Snow Storms, Rain, And Strong Winds | Severe Storm | Oct 24, 1997 |
| Severe Snow And Ice Storm | Snowstorm | Apr 10, 1994 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 10, 1990 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 26, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 26, 2023 | 740.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2023 | 202.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2021 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Jul 25, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2020 | 0.10K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2015 | 5.00K |
Flood — May 26, 2023
In the afternoon of the 25th, slow moving, high precipitation thunderstorms formed in eastern Colorado and moved northeast. In the evening, severe hail was reported along with heavy rain. Overnight on the 25th, the storms slowed, began to back-build, and cause flooding in southwest Nebraska. Flooding continued until the 28th but the damage it caused took even longer to repair. 6.5 to 9.5 inches...
Flash Flood — May 26, 2023
In the afternoon of the 25th, slow moving, high precipitation thunderstorms formed in eastern Colorado and moved northeast. In the evening, severe hail was reported along with heavy rain. Overnight on the 25th, the storms slowed, began to back-build, and cause flooding in southwest Nebraska. Flooding continued until the 28th but the damage it caused took even longer to repair. 6.5 to 9.5 inches...
Flash Flood — May 17, 2021
During the afternoon and into the evening, a line of strong thunderstorms developed in northwest Kansas and moved slowly north across parts of extreme southwest Nebraska where it dissipated. Heavy rainfall in the Stratton area caused a culvert and portions of a county road to be washed out.
Flood — Jul 25, 2020
A cluster of thunderstorms became stationary over Dundy County during the evening of the 23rd. The storm activity spread to the south and west through the rest of the 23rd into the 24th before ending from west to east. When the rainfall ended, over nine inches of rain had occurred roughly along CR 709, with lesser amounts to the north and south. Roads were washed out in many places, and the ...
Flash Flood — Jul 25, 2020
A cluster of thunderstorms became stationary over Dundy County during the evening of the 23rd. The storm activity spread to the south and west through the rest of the 23rd into the 24th before ending from west to east. When the rainfall ended, over nine inches of rain had occurred roughly along CR 709, with lesser amounts to the north and south. Roads were washed out in many places, and the ...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Hitchcock 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 Hitchcock 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.