Enter any address in Benewah County, Idaho to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the St. Joe River is the dominant flood character in Benewah County. Between 2013 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 37 flood events and 1 flash flood event. For example, in March 2017, heavy rain and snowmelt caused the St. Joe River to flood, inundating fields, roads, and yards, and leading to basement and first-floor flooding in some homes and businesses near St. Maries. In April 2017, continued flooding of fields and bottom lands along the river, along with basement flooding of some structures in and near St. Maries, persisted.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data from Benewah County shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent and severe flooding, with an average payout of $23,548 and an average water depth of 8.2 feet. Properties in Zone X_Unshaded have also seen claims, with an average payout of $4,895 and an average water depth of 2.3 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to river overflow, particularly those in Zone A or near the St. Joe River, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Benewah County, Idaho has recorded 38 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 37 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1964–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jan 13, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Mar 6, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 16, 2015 |
| Severe Storm And Straight-line Wind | Severe Storm | Nov 17, 2015 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Snowmelt, Land/mud Slides, Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 1997 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud And Landslides | Severe Storm | Nov 16, 1996 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 6, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 7, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2017 | 500.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2017 | 400.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2017 | 200.00K |
| Flood | Feb 10, 2017 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2017 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Dec 8, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 12, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 5, 2014 | 500.00K |
| Flood | Mar 31, 2012 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 7, 2018
Spring time mountain snow melt caused the St. Joe River to rise to a minor flood level during the second and third weeks of May. No structures were affected but bottom lands and fields in the river valley were inundated.
Flood — Mar 15, 2017
March was a very wet month over the Idaho Panhandle. A series of moist Pacific storm systems brought periodic heavy rain to the region in addition to warmer temperatures which quickly melted low elevation snow pack. Bonners Ferry recorded 4.58 inches of precipitation for the month which was 2.92 inches above normal. Coeur D'Alene received 4.38 inches which was 2.04 inches above normal and The U...
Flood — Mar 15, 2017
Periodic heavy rain and mountain snow melt caused the St. Joe River the flood. Extensive flooding of fields, roads, outbuildings and yards of residences and businesses in the river bottom lands occurred. A few residences and businesses experienced first floor flooding as well. Emergency repairs were needed to stabilize a threatened levee in the town of St. Maries.
Flood — Mar 14, 2017
Low elevation snow melt combined with periods of heavy rain during the second week of March forced the Palouse River to Major Flood Stage. Extensive flooding of fields, parks and roads in the river bottom occurred.
Flood — Feb 10, 2017
On the early morning of February 10th an ice jam developed on the St. Joe River between St. Maries and Calder. Water backed up behind the ice jam causing minor flooding upstream in the town of Calder, but also flooded the St. Joe River Road in places and effectively closed the road which is the main road access to the town of Calder.
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 Benewah 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 Benewah 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.