Enter any address in Bannock County, Idaho to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall is the dominant flood character in Bannock County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 40 flash flood events and 22 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in the Pocatello and American Falls areas on August 17, 2023, following 1 to 2.5 inches of rain in three hours, and street flooding in Pocatello on May 18, 2018, due to heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced significant water depths, averaging 5.1 feet and 5.3 feet respectively. While Zone X and Zone X_SHADED have seen fewer claims with lower average water depths, flooding can still occur.
Homeowners in areas identified as Zone A or Zone X_UNSHADED, particularly those located near creeks or in low-lying areas prone to rapid runoff, 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.
Bannock County, Idaho has recorded 62 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 40 flash floods and 22 river or area floods. The county has received 5 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1964–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 27, 2000 |
| Heavy Rains & Flooding | Flood | Dec 31, 1964 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 30, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Sep 21, 2022 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2017 | 450.00K |
| Flood | Apr 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jul 4, 2025
Reports of severe weather and flooding were widespread on the 4th of July holiday.
Flash Flood — May 30, 2023
Heavy rains brought extensive street flooding in the city of Pocatello.
Flood — Apr 30, 2023
Old Hwy 30 in Inkom was closed from Holstein Street to Main Street because of flooding from Rapid Creek.
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2023
Extremely heavy rainfall caused some flash flooding in the Pocatello area and American Falls. One to 2.5 inches of rain fell in a 3 hour time span.
Flood — Sep 21, 2022
Several occurrences of severe thunderstorm wind gusts and flooding with heavy rain were reported on September 21st.
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 Bannock County, Idaho:
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 Bannock County, Idaho 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.