Butte County, Idaho
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 16023 · population 2,574 · 2,236 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 788 records for Butte County, Idaho from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 502 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (261 records). 513 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 November 27, 2004 heavy snow, filed for the forecast zone Upper Snake River Plain, which covers the county: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 6 declarations naming the county since 1964, 4 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Katrina” on September 13, 2005.
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
- 788on 502 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 1017 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $12Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 8strongest F1
- FEMA declarations
- 6latest 2020
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 Butte County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 261 since 1996. 46% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. 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 | 261 | 185 | 1996-2026 | 9 | 6 | $1.5M | 31 of 44 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 221 | 91 | 1959-2026 | 0 | 0 | $13K | 13 of 44 |
| High wind and dust storms | 158 | 115 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 11 | $6.1M | 11 of 44 |
| Extreme cold | 39 | 23 | 2002-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 of 44 |
| Wildfires | 39 | 38 | 1999-2022 | 0 | 0 | $61K | 20 of 44 |
| Hail | 26 | 20 | 1962-2024 | 0 | 0 | $17K | 28 of 44 |
| Floods | 18 | 18 | 1997-2019 | 0 | 0 | $676K | 28 of 44 |
| Tornadoes | 8 | 8 | 1954-2018 | 0 | 0 | $16K | 17 of 44 |
| Heat | 7 | 4 | 2002-2013 | 1 | 0 | – | 17 of 44 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 5 | 5 | 1998-2020 | 0 | 0 | $9K | 28 of 44 |
| Drought | 4 | 2 | 2001-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 14 of 44 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2014-2014 | 0 | 0 | $3.7M | 38 of 44 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2025-2025 | 0 | 0 | $7K | 20 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.
How many tornadoes has Butte County had?
NOAA records 8 tornadoes in Butte County from 1954 to 2018, the strongest rated F1, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 17th of 44 Idaho counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 8 tornadoes whose track touched Butte County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 8, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Idaho.
Every tornado record filed for Butte County (8)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-06-21 | Darlington, Butte County | EF0 5.1 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2006-10-04 | Howe, Butte County | F0 0.69 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2000-09-01 | Arco, Butte County | F0 2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-06-16 | Arco, Butte County | F0 0.1 mi x 0 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-07-09 | Arco, Butte County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1992-05-21 | Butte County | F1 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1987-07-18 | Butte County | F1 1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1954-04-28 | Butte County | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Butte County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 14, 2026 high wind ($150,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-26 | High WindBingham County and 3 more · forecast zone Arco-Mud Lake Desert | 57 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | High WindButte County and Custer County · forecast zone Lost River Valleys | 63 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | High WindButte County and Clark County · forecast zone Beaverhead-Lemhi Highlands | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | High WindBingham County and 3 more · forecast zone Arco-Mud Lake Desert | 66 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-09 | Thunderstorm WindArco, Butte County | 51 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-09 | Thunderstorm WindArco, Butte County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-27 | Thunderstorm WindHowe, Butte County | 51 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-16 | High WindBingham County and 3 more · forecast zone Arco-Mud Lake Desert | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-13 | Thunderstorm WindArco, Butte County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-13 | Thunderstorm WindBerenice, Butte County | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-13 | Thunderstorm WindArco Butte, Butte County | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-13 | Thunderstorm WindHowe, Butte County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-11-27 | Heavy SnowBingham County and 4 more · forecast zone Upper Snake River Plain Widespread snow of generally between 2 and 5 inches fell in the Snake River Plain in the first significant snowfall of the season. One fatal accident occurred around 12 pm near American Falls on interstate 86 when a truck crossed from the west bound lane into the east bound lane killing an elderly couple. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2016-11-28 | Winter StormBingham County and 4 more · forecast zone Upper Snake River Plain Two to 4 inches of snow fell in the region creating extremely icy road conditions the morning of the 28th. A rollover caused one fatality on Highway 20 near Rexburg at around 8 am. Several other crashes and slideoffs were also reported. One rollover on interstate 15 near Shelley caused several to be taken to a local ... | 1 | 3 | $25K | |
| 2023-12-04 | Winter WeatherBingham County and 2 more · forecast zone Arco-Mud Lake Desert A two vehicle collision resulted in the death of one of the passengers. Idaho State Police investigaed a vehicle fatality collision which occurred on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 7:05 A.M. on State Highway 33 at mile marker 57 east of Terreton. A 2008 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling eastbound on SH33. A 2018 Volvo ... | 1 | 1 | $15K | |
| 2018-11-07 | Winter WeatherButte County and Clark County · forecast zone Beaverhead-Lemhi Highlands Light snow produced snow and slush covered roads and was declared a contributing factor to a motor home rollover resulting in the death of a 78 year old man at 1:53 pm MST near milepost 178 south of Spencer on southbound interstate 15. Idaho state police determined in their investigation that driving too fast for road ... | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2019-02-21 | Winter WeatherBingham County and 2 more · forecast zone Arco-Mud Lake Desert Icy roads may have been a factor in a fatal auto accident on State Highway 33 at milepost 49 east of Terreton. A 25 year old man was killed when it slid into the opposing lane into a semi pulling two flatbed trailers. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2015-12-20 | Winter WeatherBingham County and 4 more · forecast zone Upper Snake River Plain A fatality occurred on the evening of December 20th on interstate 15 northbound just north of the Shelley exit during a light snowfall which caused icy road conditions. | 1 | 0 | $19K | |
| 2014-02-03 | Winter StormBingham County and 4 more · forecast zone Upper Snake River Plain Although snow amounts were only in the 1 to 3 inch range roadways became very difficult after sunset with several accidents in the Idaho Falls area. One crash on interstate 15 north of the Dad's truck stop in Idaho falls caused a fatality. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2013-06-18 | HeatBingham County and 4 more · forecast zone Upper Snake River Plain A 21 month old girl died in Ammon when she was accidentally left in an automoblie and suffered heat stroke. | 1 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-04-23 | High WindBingham County and 4 more · forecast zone Upper Snake River Plain | 58 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4.9M |
| 2014-08-01 | Heavy RainHowe, Butte County | 0 | 0 | $3.7M | |
| 2017-10-14 | Heavy SnowBingham County and 4 more · forecast zone Upper Snake River Plain | 0 | 0 | $752K | |
| 2004-01-01 | BlizzardBingham County and 4 more · forecast zone Upper Snake River Plain | 0 | 1 | $344K | |
| 2020-09-07 | High WindBingham County and 2 more · forecast zone Arco-Mud Lake Desert | 67 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $342K |
| 2018-04-02 | High WindBingham County and 4 more · forecast zone Upper Snake River Plain | 59 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $323K |
| 2017-02-04 | FloodMoore, Butte County | 0 | 0 | $319K | |
| 2026-03-14 | High WindBingham County and 3 more · forecast zone Arco-Mud Lake Desert | 77 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $150K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $3K, in the dollars of the day) holds: July 18, 1987 (tornado, Butte County); May 21, 1992 (tornado, Butte County).
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 Butte 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 | – | – | – | – | 13 | 66 | 99 | 83 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 45 | 44 | 124 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 20 | 42 | 90 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 0 | 16 | 11 | 12 |
| Wildfires | – | – | – | – | 1 | 8 | 23 | 7 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 3 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
46% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 71 · Feb 95 · Mar 54 · Apr 64 · May 93 · Jun 68 · Jul 75 · Aug 79 · Sep 30 · Oct 28 · Nov 39 · Dec 92 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Butte County
FEMA's register lists 6 declarations that include Butte County: 4 major disasters, 2 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for biological (2) and hurricane (1).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-09 | DR-4534 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3467 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3244 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 1997-06-13 | DR-1177 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Snowmelt, Land/Mud Slides, Flooding |
| 1983-11-18 | DR-694 | Earthquake | Earthquake |
| 1964-12-31 | DR-186 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
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.
FEMA's modeled risk for Butte County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Butte County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $2.7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate | $457K | once in about 30 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $610K | 2.1 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $32K | 13 a year (modeled) |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | $21 | once in about 2,000 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $60K | once in about 706 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Very Low | $2K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $207K | once in about 104 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | $110K | 1.1 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Butte County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in IdahoEvery Idaho tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- 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 Butte CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Butte County's FEMA declarations (CSV)6 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis