Enter any address in Idaho County, Idaho to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from localized, intense rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Idaho County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA data shows 12 flash flood events and 11 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding and debris flows near the Elkhorn Fire burn scar on September 16, 2024, following scattered thunderstorms, and a mud and debris flow near Fiddle Creek on July 4, 2025, triggered by a slow-moving rain shower.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced payouts averaging $3,647 with an average water depth of 0.5 feet. While Zone X has had fewer claims with no reported payouts or water depth, residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near burn scars or in low-lying areas, should be aware of their 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.
Idaho County, Idaho has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1964–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Apr 14, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Apr 7, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Mar 6, 2017 |
| Tepee Springs Fire | Fire | Aug 29, 2015 |
| Clearwater Lawyer Branch Fire Complex | Fire | Aug 10, 2015 |
| Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Mar 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 2, 2010 |
| East Zone Fire Complex | Fire | Aug 30, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 11, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 14, 2024 | 8000.00K |
| Flood | May 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 11, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 7, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Apr 9, 2019 | 6.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2014 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 11, 2025
Pulse convection and thunderstorms produced localized areas of nearly stationary, intense rainfall and hail ranging from pea sized to 1 inch in diameter during the afternoon and evening of September 11th.
Flash Flood — Jul 4, 2025
A slow-moving, tropical-like rain shower triggered a mud and debris flow near Fiddle Creek in Idaho County.
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2024
Scattered thunderstorms brought locally heavy rain to north-central Idaho, impacting the Elkhorn Fire burn scar. These heavy rains lead to flash flooding and debris flows.
Flash Flood — Apr 14, 2024
Abundant moisture and instability, along with weak steering flow resulted in slow moving thunderstorms containing heavy rain during the evening.
Flood — May 3, 2023
Snowmelt from warming temperatures combined with a multiple day moderate to heavy rain event pushed some area streams and creeks out of their banks.
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 Idaho 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 Idaho 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.