Enter any address in Lincoln County, Nebraska to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lincoln County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 39 flash flood events and 19 general flood events. For example, thunderstorms brought 1 to 3 inches of rain to Lincoln County on July 29, 2025, causing flash flooding in the North Platte area. Earlier that month, on July 23, 2025, storms tracking east into Lincoln County produced heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $3,485 for 50 claims. Properties in Zone X have also seen claims, with an average payout of $8,733 for 5 claims, despite a lower average water depth than Zone A. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, particularly those near waterways or in low-lying areas, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
22 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lincoln County, Nebraska has recorded 58 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 39 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1994–2026)
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 | Jun 19, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Flooding | Flood | Jun 17, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 24, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2025 | 200.00K |
| Flood | May 15, 2021 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Aug 8, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2016 | 50.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms developed over southwestern Nebraska during the mid afternoon hours of July 29th. Thunderstorms grew upscale over the next couple of hours, becoming widespread across the area by early evening. Heavy rain of 1 to 3 inches fell from Lincoln into Custer County, leading to flash flooding in the North Platte area.
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...
Flood — May 15, 2021
Thunderstorms initiated along the Colorado/Nebraska border during the early evening hours of May 15th. As these storms tracked east, they became severe over Perkins and Keith counties. Storms then tracked into Lincoln county where they weakened. Golf ball sized hail was reported in Perkins county and a 66 MPH wind gust was measured 4 miles north northeast of North Platte.
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...
Flood — Mar 13, 2019
Historical flooding occurred in north central Nebraska as rivers, creeks and other streams rose due to the combination of snow, rain, and rapid snow melt on top of frozen ground. The greatest flooding occurred along the Niobrara, Keya Paha, Elkhorn and Loup Rivers; Ponca, Long Pine, Victoria and Cedar creeks; and one fatality occurred from the failure of Spencer Dam that is located on the Niobr...
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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.