Enter any address in Blaine County, Idaho to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall and debris flows is the dominant flood character in Blaine County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 15 flood events and 14 flash flood events, resulting in one reported death. Recent events include flash flooding on August 1st and 2nd, 2021, caused by monsoonal moisture, and a flood event on June 1st, 2023, where snowmelt and spring rains caused the Big Wood River to rise, impacting areas of Hailey.
FEMA data on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims in Blaine County shows a significant number of claims in Zone A (147 claims) and Zone X (92 claims). Properties in Zone A experienced an average water depth of 1.5 feet and an average payout of $12,728. Properties in Zone X, while fewer in number, had a higher average payout of $14,672 and an average water depth of 2.2 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X, particularly those located near rivers or in low-lying areas, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Blaine County, Idaho has recorded 29 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 10 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1964–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Fork Fire | Fire | Sep 5, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | May 6, 2017 |
| Beaver Creek Fire | Fire | Aug 15, 2013 |
| Castle Rock Fire | Fire | Aug 28, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 27, 2000 |
| Drought | Drought | May 5, 1977 |
| Heavy Rains & Flooding | Flood | Dec 31, 1964 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 1, 2023 | 1.90M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 21, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 8, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 4, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2018 | 155.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2018 | 950.00K |
Flood — Jun 1, 2023
Flooding due to the rise of the Big Wood River due to snowmelt and spring rains flooded parts of Hailey including War Eagle Drive, Flat Top Road, and Camp Creek Road. Damages were estimated at 1.9 million dollars on Flat Top Road and Camp Creek Road.
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2021
Several inches of mud, rocks, and debris flowed over Baker Creek Road that closed the road. This was a burn scar area and the first of two road closing slide events.
Flash Flood — Aug 2, 2021
Continued push of monsoonal moisture into Idaho caused continued flooding into the first couple of days of August.
Flash Flood — Aug 1, 2021
Continued push of monsoonal moisture into Idaho caused continued flooding into the first couple of days of August.
Flood — Apr 21, 2019
Minor flooding began April 21st on War Eagle Drive in Hailey. Through access through the Della View neighborhood was shut down in western Hailey.
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 Blaine 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 Blaine 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.