Enter any address in Pierce County, Nebraska to see its FEMA flood zone
Flood events, including flash floods, are the primary flood character in Pierce County, NE. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 13 flood events and 7 flash flood events. For example, a significant flood event occurred in March 2019, driven by a bomb cyclone that caused widespread, historic flooding across eastern Nebraska due to rapid snowmelt and heavy rainfall. More recently, in August 2021, storms brought heavy precipitation leading to flash flooding in the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $17,248 and an average water depth of 1.1 feet. While Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded have fewer claims, one claim in Zone X had a significantly higher average payout of $35,929, despite an average water depth of 0.0 feet.
Homeowners in Zone A, particularly those near waterways or in areas prone to rapid water accumulation, should pay close attention to flood risk. Residents in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded should also be aware of potential flood impacts, as demonstrated by the higher payout in Zone X, even with minimal reported water depth.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Pierce County, Nebraska has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 6 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Ice Jams, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 6, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 19, 2006 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Nov 27, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 475.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 7, 2017 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 18, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 22, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2010 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Mar 10, 2010 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2009 | 20.00K |
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.
Flash 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...
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...
Flood — Oct 7, 2017
Two heavy rainfall events occurred on the 6th and 7th of the month. No flash flood warnings were issued however significant river flooding occurred along the N.F. Elkhorn River, Wahoo Creek and the Missouri River. Of these rivers the flooding was most significant along the N.F. Elkhorn River where moderate flooding was reported. This led to significant lowland flooding which included many count...
Flash Flood — Aug 21, 2013
A weak cold front from the upper Mississippi River Valley into the central High Plains provided for a focus for late afternoon thunderstorm development in a very unstable airmass. Thunderstorms initially developed from extreme southeast South Dakota into north central Nebraska. These slow moving thunderstorms then moved and developed southeast into northeast Nebraska during the evening on the 2...
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 Pierce 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 Pierce 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.