Enter any address in Bear Lake County, Idaho to see its FEMA flood zone
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bear Lake County, Idaho has recorded 9 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 4 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2020)
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 |
| Drought | Drought | May 5, 1977 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2017 | 808.00K |
| Flood | Apr 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2017 | 55.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2017 | 135.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2017 | 10.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2011 | 2.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2018
Flooding with heavy rain and large hail was reported in Fremont, Madison, and Bear Lake Counties.
Flood — Feb 5, 2017
A trend toward above normal temperatures in February after extreme snowfall amounts in both December and January led to extensive flooding issues during the entirety of the month. The brunt of the flooding occurred in Cassia, Minidoka, Jefferson, Lincoln and Bingham Counties but all counties did receive at least minor flooding. The floding began February 4th and continued to affect low lying...
Flood — Apr 4, 2017
Some flooding continued throughout the month but not as severe as previous months or the future river flooding in May and June.
Flood — May 1, 2017
Winter snow melt continued from record winter snowfall and flooding continued throughout much of May in much of southeast Idaho especially in the central mountains and along the Big Wood River.
Flood — Mar 1, 2017
Lower elevation mountain snowpack continued to melt in March and widespread sheet flooding from the snow melt. Although the severity of the flooding diminished from the onset in January and February, the persistence and flood damage continued in most counties.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Bear Lake 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 Bear Lake 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.