1,106 flood insurance claims·$10.3M paid·4,682 policies in force
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Idaho. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Idaho experiences a mixed flood-risk profile characterized by frequent standard riverine floods alongside a substantial volume of flash flood events. Over the last 30 years, NOAA data records 539 flood events resulting in 1 death, and 321 flash flood events resulting in 2 deaths.
Federal disaster declarations highlight the state's vulnerability to severe weather hazards, including recent declarations on April 14, 2024, for severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides. Additional federal disaster declarations for straight-line winds occurred on January 13, 2021. These events demonstrate that residents face risks from both prolonged high water and sudden, severe storm-driven impacts.
National Flood Insurance Program claims data indicates that risk is not confined to high-hazard zones. Zone A accounts for the highest volume with 621 claims totaling $7 million paid, averaging $14,492 per claim. However, significant claims activity occurs outside designated high-risk areas. Zone X accounts for 282 claims totaling $3 million paid, averaging $15,203, while unshaded Zone X areas recorded 89 claims totaling $1 million paid. Additional claims occurred in unknown, shaded Zone X, Zone D, and Zone V categories. This distribution implies that while residents in Zone A face the heaviest frequency of claims, property owners outside standard high-risk flood zones also experience surprise claims and property damage, demonstrating that flood insurance is relevant across multiple zone categories.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
Idaho has received 370 federal disaster declarations, including 93 flood and coastal storm declarations.
NFIP claims by county, 1978 to date. Source: OpenFEMA. Counties ranked by recorded flood events →
Properties in Idaho FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Idaho had 4,682 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $1,032 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Idaho residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
See the most flood-prone counties in Idaho →
Select a county to view local flood zone data and disaster history:
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