Enter any address in Keith County, Nebraska to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Keith County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 16 flash flood events and 1 flood event. Recent examples include flash flooding impacting Ogallala on July 25, 2020, and widespread thunderstorms causing flash flooding on August 19, 2021.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced flooding, with an average payout of $9,028 and an average water depth of 0.7 feet. While Zone X_Unshaded also saw claims with an average payout of $11,468, Zone X claims had no payout. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, and those in Zone X_Unshaded, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Keith County, Nebraska has recorded 17 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 1 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 (2001–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Morrill-cottonwood Fire | Fire | Mar 12, 2026 |
| 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 And Straight-line Winds | Snowstorm | Apr 13, 2018 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 11, 2007 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 19, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuees | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Apr 10, 2001 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2019 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2019 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 18, 2013 | 335.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2011 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms developed during the early afternoon hours of July 23 across the Sandhills, southwestern and portions of central Nebraska. This activity developed in advance of an approaching cold front. As the afternoon progressed, activity became better organized and severe over Keith County mid afternoon. As storms tracked east into Lincoln and Custer Counties, they maintained their...
Flash Flood — Aug 19, 2021
Thunderstorms developed across portions of Colorado and Wyoming in the afternoon. Thunderstorms became more numerous and moved east into western and southwest Nebraska. A line of storms then formed and move across the Sandhills into central Nebraska.
Flash Flood — Jul 25, 2020
Scattered thunderstorms, including a few supercells, slowly progressed across portions of the Sandhills and southwest Nebraska during the evening hours. Winds were estimated at 70 mph around North Platte, while flash flooding impacted Ogallala.
Flash Flood — May 27, 2019
A stalled out frontal boundary draped from southern Nebraska into northeastern Colorado served as the focal point for thunderstorms. Thunderstorms initiated over northeastern Colorado and became severe as they tracked east into southwestern Nebraska. Large hail and a tornado were reported with these severe storms. Urban and small stream flooding impacted local communities as storm drains were o...
Flash Flood — Jun 6, 2018
Severe storms developed in the Nebraska Panhandle during the early evening hours of June 6th. As this activity tracked east, a broken line of strong to severe thunderstorms developed. Hail up to the size of ping pong balls, thunderstorm wind gusts to 70 MPH and a brief tornado touchdown were reported. Heavy rain also fell leading to flash flooding in western Keith county.
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 Keith 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 Keith 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.