North Platte, NE Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
North Platte sits at the confluence of the North and South Platte rivers and faces riverine flooding. Spring snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains can cause extended periods of high water.
Lincoln County has recorded 78 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $255K in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 7
NFIP Policies
167
Lincoln County
Avg. Premium
$629/yr
Lincoln County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Lincoln County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $6.8M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Lincoln County
Lincoln County has been included in 4 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 1 earlier declaration since 2005.
These declarations affected communities across Lincoln County, including North Platte.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Lincoln County
Properties in Lincoln County have filed 78 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $255K in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $3K.
Highest-Claim Years
2011
19 claims - $154K
1983
7 claims - $21K
1995
6 claims - $2K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Lincoln County
Only roughly 1 in 82 households in Lincoln County carries NFIP flood insurance (1% of estimated households). With 58 recorded flood events and $3.0M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
1%
roughly 1 in 82 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 2
78 claims over 45+ years across 167 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$3,269
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Lincoln County has averaged 1 claim for every 2 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include North Platte.
What Your Flood Zone Means in North Platte
North Platte faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in North Platte are Zone AE, Zone A, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $6.8M.
Riverine flood risk in North Platte is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any North Platte address.
Recorded Flood Events: Lincoln County
NOAA has recorded 58 flood events in Lincoln County since 1996, causing $3.0M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Lincoln County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 3 properties in Lincoln County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
North Platte, NE Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in North Platte, NE?
The most common FEMA flood zones in North Platte are Zone AE, Zone A, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in North Platte?
If your North Platte property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in North Platte?
Enter your North Platte address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
What type of flooding affects North Platte?
North Platte is primarily affected by river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone A, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any North Platte address.
Has North Platte experienced major flooding events?
Lincoln County, where North Platte is located, has been part of 4 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in 2019. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in North Platte?
Lincoln County has recorded 78 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $255K in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2011, with 19 claims and $154K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including North Platte.
How many flood insurance policies are active in North Platte?
Lincoln County currently has 167 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $629. The most policies are in Zone A (92 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
Can my North Platte property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in North Platte?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In North Platte's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Nebraska Cities
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Look Up Any North Platte, NE Address
Enter a North Platte, NE address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.