Boundary County, Idaho
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 16021 · population 12,050 · 1,269 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 768 records for Boundary County, Idaho from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 423 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (590 records). 702 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the February 22, 2003 avalanche, filed for the forecast zone Northern Panhandle, which covers the county: 2 deaths and 3 injuries. FEMA has issued 12 declarations naming the county since 1967, 10 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Straight-Line Winds” on April 7, 2026.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 768on 423 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 831 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $137Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- FEMA declarations
- 12latest 2026
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Boundary County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 590 since 1996. 58% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in December and January. The rank column places the county among Idaho's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 590 | 294 | 1996-2026 | 3 | 15 | $792K | 7 of 44 |
| High wind and dust storms | 50 | 40 | 2001-2026 | 1 | 5 | $3.1M | 21 of 44 |
| Wildfires | 33 | 29 | 2006-2025 | 0 | 5 | $103M | 12 of 44 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 24 | 15 | 1961-2024 | 0 | 2 | $362K | 36 of 44 |
| Floods | 21 | 19 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $22M | 14 of 44 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 19 | 17 | 1997-2024 | 4 | 4 | $7.8M | 4 of 44 |
| Hail | 14 | 9 | 1998-2016 | 0 | 0 | $181K | 31 of 44 |
| Extreme cold | 9 | 8 | 1996-2014 | 0 | 0 | $91K | 14 of 44 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 5 | 5 | 2017-2020 | 0 | 0 | – | 16 of 44 |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 1998-1998 | 0 | 0 | $18K | 29 of 44 |
| Heat | 1 | 1 | 2021-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 27 of 44 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
When was the last damaging storm in Boundary County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the December 17, 2025 high wind ($15,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-06 | High WindBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-12 | Heavy SnowBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-11 | High WindBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 51 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-18 | Heavy SnowBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-07 | Heavy SnowBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-17 | High WindBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2025-12-10 | FloodMc Arthur, Boundary County | 0 | 0 | $2K | |
| 2025-10-01 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $3.4M | |
| 2025-09-01 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $3.4M | |
| 2025-09-01 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $18M | |
| 2025-08-13 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $18M | |
| 2025-08-01 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $3.4M |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-02-22 | AvalancheBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle After a night of new snowfall and warming daytime temperatures, two separate avalanches occurred just an hour and a half apart and within 20 miles of each other. The first event took place around 11:30 am near Keokee Lake about 10 miles northwest of Schweitzer Ski Resort. A couple of back country skiers were caught in ... | 2 | 3 | – | |
| 2012-11-12 | Winter WeatherBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle Slick road conditions due to compact snow and ice resulted in a car accident involving two vehicles on Highway 41 at the intersection of Highway 54 in Spirit Lake. One vehicle was traveling northbound along Highway 41 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and spun into an oncoming vehicle traveling southbound. ... | 1 | 2 | – | |
| 2024-03-01 | AvalancheBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle Avalanche near Gunsight Peak resulted in 1 fatality. | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2012-01-20 | Winter WeatherBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle A combination of light snow and freezing rain created slick driving conditions across the Northern Idaho Panhandle during the morning hours of the 21st. The slick road conditions were thought to have played a large role in a six car accident along Highway 95 near Sagle, ID. It is still unclear if weather or aggressive ... | 1 | 1 | $26K | |
| 2020-12-21 | Winter WeatherBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle Most of the northern Panhandle received 24 hour rainfall totals up to 0.25 - 0.80. The near to freezing temperatures and wet surfaces created isolated black ice and slick surfaces. The Bonners Ferry Herald reported one fatality and one person injured after hitting black ice on Highway 95 outside of Eastport. Their car ... | 1 | 0 | $11K | |
| 2015-11-17 | High WindBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle The mesonet station at Cocolala, Idaho reported a 60 mph windgust. Additionally the windstorm resulted in an indirect fatality for an elderly man who died from hypothermia in Bonner County. | 52 kt wind | 1 | 0 | – |
| 2004-03-10 | AvalancheBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Boundary/Bonner/ X Nw Kootenai A snowmobiler was killed (indirect) by an avalanche near Bonners Ferry. He was "highmarking" on a 50 degree slope. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1999-12-18 | Winter StormBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Boundary/Bonner/ X Nw Kootenai Strong winds from a winter storm collapsed a structure under construction in Bonner Ferry. Six people were injured when they fell from the roof of the structure. | 0 | 6 | $354K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-13 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $18M | |
| 2025-09-01 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $18M | |
| 2022-10-01 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $15M | |
| 2023-06-30 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $8.9M | |
| 2023-07-01 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $8.9M | |
| 2023-08-01 | WildfireBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $8.9M | |
| 1997-05-15 | FloodBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $7.4M | |
| 1997-06-01 | FloodBonner County and 2 more · forecast zone Northern Panhandle | 0 | 0 | $7.4M |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Boundary County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 24 | 124 | 342 | 100 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 8 | 22 | 20 |
| Wildfires | – | – | – | – | 0 | 4 | 14 | 15 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 7 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
| Landslides and avalanches | – | – | – | – | 1 | 2 | 12 | 4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
58% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in December and January. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 190 · Feb 103 · Mar 68 · Apr 25 · May 19 · Jun 17 · Jul 18 · Aug 19 · Sep 28 · Oct 29 · Nov 82 · Dec 170 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Boundary County
FEMA's register lists 12 declarations that include Boundary County: 10 major disasters, 2 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (4) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-07 | DR-4905 | Straight-Line Winds | Straight-Line Winds |
| 2020-04-09 | DR-4534 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3467 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-05-18 | DR-4313 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2015-12-23 | DR-4246 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Straight-Line Wind |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3244 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 1997-06-13 | DR-1177 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Snowmelt, Land/Mud Slides, Flooding |
| 1997-01-04 | DR-1154 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides |
| 1996-02-11 | DR-1102 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1980-05-22 | DR-624 | Volcanic Eruption | Volcanic Eruption, Mt. St. Helens |
| 1974-01-25 | DR-415 | Flood | Severe Storms, Snowmelt & Flooding |
| 1967-08-30 | DR-231 | Fire | Forest Fires |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Boundary County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 21 flood or flash flood records for Boundary County from 1996 to 2025, on 19 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Boundary County ranks 2685th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $8,395 on 3 claims filed in Boundary County; the most in one year was 1 in 2002. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2002: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2017: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Boundary County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Boundary County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $6.8 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $369K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate | $487K | once in about 10 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $96K | 27 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $340K | once in about 1,051 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $684K | 1.4 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $4.6M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | $112K | 2.8 modeled event-days a year |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $36K | once in about 705 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Boundary County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Winter storms in IdahoThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The Idaho recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Boundary CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Boundary County's FEMA declarations (CSV)12 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis