Enter any address in Bonner County, Idaho to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and heavy rainfall events are the primary flood concerns in Bonner County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 27 flood events and 1 flash flood event. For example, in May 2020, heavy rain combined with significant spring snowmelt caused creeks to reach dangerous levels. Similarly, in December 2025, an atmospheric river brought 2 to 4 inches of rain over 48 hours, leading to flooding and landslides exacerbated by snowmelt.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths, suggesting a significant risk. Properties in Zone A also show substantial average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X_UNSHADED, as well as those located near rivers or creeks, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
18 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bonner County, Idaho has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 27 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 (1967–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset Fire | Fire | Aug 14, 2025 |
| 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 |
| Cape Horn Fire | Fire | Jul 5, 2015 |
| Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Mar 31, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 10, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Dec 6, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2018 | 2.50K |
| Flood | May 11, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2017 | 2.00M |
| Flood | Dec 9, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 9, 2014 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Mar 31, 2012 | 70.00K |
Flood — Dec 10, 2025
An atmospheric river brought heavy rains to the Central Idaho Panhandle December 10 and 11. Areas saw 48 hour rain amounts of 2 to 4 inches. The rain combined with snow melt and led to several flooding and landslide incidents. An embedded cold front brought high winds up to 60 mph to the region causing downed trees and power lines.
Flood — Dec 6, 2023
Snowmelt and rain amounts near 2.5 inches led to washout of Forest Service road near Hope, Idaho.
Flood — May 22, 2020
On May 20th, a cool and showery pattern began in the northern Idaho Panhandle. Two upper low pressure systems dropped down into the region out of the northwest. These brought rain, with some brief heavy rain, from May 20th through May 22nd. Many creeks in northern Idaho, such as Bonner County, were at dangerous levels this May due to heavy rain and significant spring snow melt. On May 20th, num...
Flood — May 20, 2020
On May 20th, a cool and showery pattern began in the northern Idaho Panhandle. Two upper low pressure systems dropped down into the region out of the northwest. These brought rain, with some brief heavy rain, from May 20th through May 22nd. Many creeks in northern Idaho, such as Bonner County, were at dangerous levels this May due to heavy rain and significant spring snow melt. On May 20th, num...
Flood — May 18, 2018
Spring time mountain snow melt caused the lake level of Lake Pend Oreille to achieve and sustain a minor flood level from the third week of May through the end of the month. During this event no buildings were flooded however water inundated dock ramps, yards, parkland and parking lots along the lake from Bayview to Sandpoint and flood waters backed up into the Pack River and Clark Fork River c...
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 Bonner 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 Bonner 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.