Idaho Falls, ID Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Idaho Falls sits along the Snake River and faces riverine flooding during spring snowmelt. The city's location on the eastern Snake River Plain makes it vulnerable to high water from Rocky Mountain runoff.
Bonneville County has recorded 16 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $40K in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 10
NFIP Policies
113
Bonneville County
Avg. Premium
$1,022/yr
Bonneville County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Bonneville County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $24.3M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Bonneville County
Bonneville County has been included in 3 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Bonneville County, including Idaho Falls.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Bonneville County
Properties in Bonneville County have filed 16 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $40K in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $3K.
Highest-Claim Years
2014
2 claims - $0
2015
2 claims - $2K
1979
1 claims - $1K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Bonneville County
Only roughly 1 in 433 households in Bonneville County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.2% of estimated households). With 20 recorded flood events and $1.2M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.2%
roughly 1 in 433 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 7
16 claims over 45+ years across 113 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$2,500
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Bonneville County has averaged 1 claim for every 7 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Idaho Falls.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Idaho Falls are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $24.3M.
Riverine flood risk in Idaho Falls is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Idaho Falls address.
Recorded Flood Events: Bonneville County
NOAA has recorded 20 flood events in Bonneville County since 1996, causing $1.2M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Idaho Falls, ID Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Idaho Falls, ID?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Idaho Falls are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Idaho Falls?
If your Idaho Falls property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Idaho Falls?
Enter your Idaho Falls address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
What type of flooding affects Idaho Falls?
Idaho Falls is primarily affected by river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Idaho Falls address.
Has Idaho Falls experienced major flooding events?
Bonneville County, where Idaho Falls is located, has been part of 3 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Idaho Falls?
Bonneville County has recorded 16 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $40K in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2014, with 2 claims and $0 in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Idaho Falls.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Idaho Falls?
Bonneville County currently has 113 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,022. The most policies are in Zone X (46 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
Can my Idaho Falls property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Idaho Falls?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Idaho Falls's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.