Enter any address in Boundary County, Idaho to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and snowmelt-driven flooding are the dominant flood characteristics in Boundary County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 18 flood events and 3 flash flood events. For example, spring snowmelt caused the Moyie River to reach minor flood levels in May 2018, inundating fields and lowlands. More recently, in February 2015, a series of warm weather systems brought heavy rainfall and snowmelt, leading to stream and river flooding, debris flows, and minor street flooding.
While the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has recorded limited claims in Boundary County, with one claim in Zone A and one in Zone X, both with zero dollar payouts and minimal reported water depth, these events highlight the potential for inundation. Residents living in low-lying areas, particularly those near rivers and streams, should remain aware of flood risks, especially during periods of heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt.
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.
Boundary County, Idaho has recorded 21 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 3 flash floods and 18 river or area floods. The county has received 11 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 (1967–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Mar 6, 2017 |
| 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 |
| Volcanic Eruption, Mt. St. Helens | Volcanic Eruption | May 22, 1980 |
| Severe Storms, Snowmelt & Flooding | Flood | Jan 25, 1974 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 10, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 21, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Flood | May 7, 2018 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Dec 9, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 7, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 11, 2014 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Mar 5, 2014 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Mar 30, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2012 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2012 | 0.00K |
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.
Flash Flood — May 21, 2023
A slow moving thunderstorm brought heavy rain to the Russell Mountain Burn Scar. The rain and snow melt washed out area road.
Flood — May 7, 2018
Spring time snow melt caused the Moyie River to achieve and maintain a minor flood level through the second and third weeks of May. No structures were flooded at this level but fields and unpopulated low lands near the river were inundated.
Flood — Dec 9, 2015
An intense surface low pressure system moved from west to east along the Southern British Columbia border and dragged a cold front through as well. The resulting high winds brought about substantial damage across North Idaho. In addition heavy rain over the two days preceding and occurring with the windstorm brought about river rises, mudslides, and debris flows.
Flood — Feb 7, 2015
A four day interval in which a series of warm weather systems with very well maintained moisture feeds from the subtropics slowly moved through North Idaho. These systems brought considerable rainfall to the mountains and valleys and caused much of the mid-slope elevation snow to melt. The resulting runoff caused some streams and rivers to flood in addition to some debris flows, mudslides, and ...
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 Boundary 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 Boundary 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.