Enter any address in Howard County, Nebraska to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Howard County. Between May 30th and June 22nd, 2024, the county experienced multiple rounds of heavy rainfall from thunderstorms, leading to both flood and flash flood events. One such event on May 30th involved a mesoscale convective vortex that produced significant rainfall. Another impactful event occurred on June 21st and 22nd, with a persistent band of heavy rain causing widespread flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $13,893 and an average water depth of 0.7 feet. Properties in Zone X also had significant claims, averaging $13,836 with 0.5 feet of water. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone UNKNOWN, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
18 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Howard County, Nebraska has recorded 22 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 11 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1966–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 19, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Tornado | Apr 25, 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 Winter Storm And Straight-line Winds | Snowstorm | Apr 13, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Winter Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 2, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Ice Jams, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 6, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 30, 2024 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2024 | 500.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 600.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 1.00M |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 3.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2016 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Jun 20, 2014 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Apr 9, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2011 | 25.00K |
Flood — May 30, 2024
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms brings isolated, but significant, heavy rainfall to portions of Howard County from May 30th into the 31st. The initial bout of strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall developed during the early morning hours of May 30th. This activity was the result of a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) that emanated from convection over the High Plains the previous evening. A...
Flash Flood — May 30, 2024
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms brings isolated, but significant, heavy rainfall to portions of Howard County from May 30th into the 31st. The initial bout of strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall developed during the early morning hours of May 30th. This activity was the result of a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) that emanated from convection over the High Plains the previous evening. A...
Flood — Jun 22, 2024
Although it impacted only a handful of west central and especially northern counties of South Central Nebraska, a persistent narrow band of heavy rain on the evening of Friday the 21st into the pre-dawn of Saturday the 22nd caused what was likely the overall most impactful flooding event of 2024 within the 24-county area. Over the course of 10 hours between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. CDT, numerous and m...
Flash Flood — Jun 21, 2024
Although it impacted only a handful of west central and especially northern counties of South Central Nebraska, a persistent narrow band of heavy rain on the evening of Friday the 21st into the pre-dawn of Saturday the 22nd caused what was likely the overall most impactful flooding event of 2024 within the 24-county area. Over the course of 10 hours between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. CDT, numerous and m...
Flash Flood — Mar 13, 2019
Excessive rainfall, blizzard conditions, and high winds occurred on this Tuesday night, Wednesday and Thursday, and they were followed by extensive and significant flooding that lasted for days afterward. The seeds of the disastrous flooding were planted in the weeks leading up to this event. The factors that came together made this a worst case scenario. February through early March was bitter...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Howard 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 Howard 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.