Enter any address in Red Willow County, Nebraska to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms dominates flood risk in Red Willow County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 13 flash flood events and 5 general flood events. For example, a severe thunderstorm on September 16, 2025, produced up to six inches of rainfall near McCook, causing water to reach nearly a foot deep in low-lying areas. Another instance on July 29, 2025, saw storms producing an estimated six inches of running water over Nebraska Road 89 in southern Red Willow County.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent claims, with an average payout of $2,507 for an average water depth of 0.2 feet. Properties in Zone X_Unshaded also show a history of claims with an average payout of $2,262, though with no reported water depth. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in areas with a history of flooding or without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) designation, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Red Willow County, Nebraska has recorded 18 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1990–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2024 |
| Road 702 Fire | Fire | Apr 22, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Apr 29, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 19, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 22, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 19, 2006 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuees | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 26, 2023 | 3.50K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 4, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2025
During the evening and overnight hours of the 29th, clusters of storms formed in northwestern Kansas before entering southwestern Nebraska. These storms filled into a broken line, and began training over a portion of southern Red Willow county, on the state line. An estimated 6 inches of running water was seen over Nebraska road 89. Also, hail up to pennies was reported.
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2025
A very strong thunderstorm developed near McCook during the afternoon, remaining nearly stationary for roughly two hours over the town before moving east. During this time the thunderstorm produced hail over three inches in diameter, wind gusts up to 60 MPH, and closed to six inches of rainfall. The prolonged heavy rainfall caused rushing water to be close to a foot deep in the low lying area...
Flood — May 26, 2023
In the afternoon of the 25th, slow moving, high precipitation thunderstorms formed in eastern Colorado and moved northeast. In the evening, severe hail was reported along with heavy rain. Overnight on the 25th, the storms slowed, began to back-build, and cause flooding in southwest Nebraska. Flooding continued until the 28th but the damage it caused took even longer to repair. 6.5 to 9.5 inches...
Flash Flood — Sep 21, 2023
In the early afternoon hours on the 21st, a boundary began firing severe thunderstorms over Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. These storms generally moved to the north-northeast as the boundary moved east. In Nebraska, these storms produced wind gusts in excess of 80 mph, 2.5 inch diameter hail, and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2016
Severe hail, wind, and flash flooding were reported between 1600 and 1800 MDT. Flash flood was mainly limited to low lying areas where street drains could not keep up with very high rainfall rates.
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 Red Willow 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 Red Willow 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.