FloodZoneMap.org

Flood — Northern Panhandle, ID

Jun 1, 1997

Rivers and streams in Idaho's panhandle region began flooding in May from heavy spring snow melt. Flooding along several of these rivers continued well into the month of June, with the Pend Oreille, St. Joe and Kootenai Rivers flooding roads and a few homes. Total damage from the entire May through June flood event was estimated at 4 million dollars, with most of the serious property damage occurring in the month of May when the floods reached their peak.

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5607473). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for Northern Panhandle, ID

This event is one of many recorded floods in Northern Panhandle County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

View Northern Panhandle County flood data →

More Flood Stories

Flood$2.0M damage

Bonner, ID · Mar 15, 2017

March was a very wet month over the Idaho Panhandle. A series of moist Pacific storm systems brought periodic heavy rain to the region in addition to warmer temperatures which quickly melted low elevation snow pack.

Read the full account →
Flood$20K damage

Bonner, ID · 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.

Read the full account →
Flood$10K damage

Bonner, ID · 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.

Read the full account →
Flood$4.0M damage

Northern Panhandle, ID · May 15, 1997

During the month of May, unusually heavy snow pack at the higher elevations of Idaho began to melt. Runoff swelled many rivers statewide to flood stage. Hardest hit by damaging floods were the counties in the Idaho Panhandle.

Read the full account →