Enter any address in Knox County, Nebraska to see its FEMA flood zone
Flood events, including flash floods, are the primary flood character in Knox County, NE. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA data recorded 24 flood events and 17 flash flood events. Recent incidents include flash flooding reported in August 2021 due to heavy precipitation and widespread flooding in March 2019, exacerbated by rapid snowmelt and rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced more claims (16) than Zone X (6). Claims in Zone A also show higher average payouts ($32,819) and average water depths (1.2 ft) compared to Zone X ($19,897 payout, 0.3 ft water depth). Homeowners in Zone A, and those located near waterways or in areas prone to heavy rainfall and snowmelt, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
19 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Knox County, Nebraska has recorded 41 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 17 flash floods and 24 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1967–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | May 12, 2022 |
| 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 |
| Flooding | Flood | Jun 17, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 24, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 4, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 1.20M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2017 | 30.00K |
| Flood | Feb 14, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 26, 2011 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Mar 12, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 1, 2011 | 5.00K |
Flood — Jun 21, 2024
A series of shortwave troughs traversing the northern CONUS brought unsettled weather to the area for the end of June. On the 21st, a stationary front was draped across northeast Nebraska into Iowa. Ahead of one of the aforementioned shortwave troughs, several rounds of strong thunderstorms developed near this frontal zone and moved across northeast Nebraska. At 8 pm on the 21st, radar imagery ...
Flash Flood — Aug 31, 2021
Theta-e advection and a stationery front helped initiate storms across eastern Nebraska. The largest hail reports were for 2.5 inch hail and peak wind gusts were near 70 mph. Additionally, flash flooding was reported in Cedar County due to heavy precipitation.
Flood — Mar 13, 2019
A 971mb bomb cyclone moved out of the central Rockies on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 and helped to create widespread, moderate to major, and in many cases historic, flooding across eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. From 4 to 15 inches of snow cover remained across the mid Missouri River valley, and the ground was frozen with existing frost depths of 15 to 23 inches. Warm temperatures allowed all...
Flash Flood — Aug 15, 2017
Heavy rainfall fell on August 15th-16th The heaviest rains were focused over western Butler and Polk counties. A cooperative weather observer in David City measured 6.01 inches of rain for this event. This rain caused the Big Blue River and nearby tributaries to reach flood stage, which lasted until 8/23. Many roads were flooded and closed for several days in the affected area. Highway 30 w...
Flood — Feb 14, 2017
Warm temperatures during the first week of February caused intact ice cover on Ponca Creek to move downstream. The ice became stuck at several places upstream and downstream of Highway 12.
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 Knox 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 Knox 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.