Enter any address in Bonneville County, Idaho to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding from heavy rainfall and snowmelt is the primary flood hazard in Bonneville County. Recent events include a flood on May 16, 2023, where runoff and snowmelt washed away a lane of Bear Creek Road in Swan Valley, cutting off access to Calamity Campground. Another event on August 6, 2022, saw heavy thunderstorm rain cause nuisance street and parking lot flooding in Idaho Falls.
National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone X_Unshaded have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $5,350 and an average water depth of 1.3 feet. While Zone X also shows claims, the average water depth was recorded as -1.5 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to heavy rainfall, snowmelt runoff, and those located in or near areas designated as Zone X_Unshaded should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bonneville County, Idaho has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 6 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 7 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 (1964–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Henrys Creek Fire | Fire | Aug 21, 2016 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Snowmelt, Land/mud Slides, Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 1997 |
| Dam Collapse, Flooding | Flood | Jun 6, 1976 |
| 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 | Mar 11, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2023 | 800.00K |
| Flood | May 16, 2023 | 35.00K |
| Flood | Aug 6, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2017 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2017 | 250.00K |
Flood — Mar 11, 2025
Minor runoff and sheet flooding west of Idaho Falls along Highway 20 and through Madison County.
Flash Flood — May 23, 2023
Widespread severe weather with strong winds, large hail, and very heavy rains occurred on the 23rd in the Snake River Plain.
Flood — May 16, 2023
One lane of Bear Creek Road in Swan Valley washed away due to extensive runoff and snow melt. Water flowing under the roadway caused the one lane collapse. It eliminated access to Calamity Campground. The collapse occurred on May 17th.
Flood — Aug 6, 2022
Heavy rain fell from a thunderstorm causing extensive nuisance street and parking lot flooding in the Idaho Falls area. Generally 0.70 to just over an inch of rain fell in the 4 to 5 pm MDT period causing the flooding.
Flood — Jul 31, 2021
Sustained monsoonal flow brought more flooding to southeast Idaho on July 31st.
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 Bonneville 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 Bonneville 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.