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Blaine County, Idaho

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Relatively Low overall risk
8th of 44highest risk in Idaho
$28Mexpected losses a year
8federal declarations
1 in 36homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Blaine County, Idaho has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 65% of US counties. It ranks 8th of 44 counties in Idaho. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, avalanches and wildfires. FEMA estimates about $28 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $1,164 per resident. Since 1964 it has been included in 8 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (3 major disasters). The most recent was in September 2022 (Ross Fork Fire). About 1 in 36 homes here carry federal flood insurance (377 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $3.9 million on 309 claims here, including $2.6 million for floods in 2017.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Blaine County

$15.2 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once a year.
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.

Avalanche

Very High
$5.8 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 2 years.
  • Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
  • Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.

Wildfire

Moderate
$3 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 130 years.
  • Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
  • Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
Inland floodingLow70.5
$15M
AvalancheVery High96.9
$6M
WildfireModerate93.8
$3M
EarthquakeLow73.7
$1M
Cold waveLow44.4
$884K
Heat waveLow64.3
$808K
Winter weatherHigh93.1
$624K
LightningLow53.9
$308K
Strong windLow21.7
$226K
TornadoVery Low7.7
$46K
LandslideLow86.3
$41K
HailVery Low5.8
$18K
Ice stormVery Low9.2
$5K
DroughtVery Low15.6
$955
Volcanic activityVery Low56.7
$24

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively low and community resilience is relatively low in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Blaine County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Fire4
Flood2
Drought1
Hurricane1

Most recent

Sep 5, 2022Ross Fork FireFire management
Aug 27, 2017Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesMajor disaster
Aug 15, 2013Beaver Creek FireFire management
Aug 28, 2007Castle Rock FireFire management
Sep 13, 2005Hurricane KatrinaEmergency
Sep 1, 2000WildfiresMajor disaster
May 5, 1977DroughtEmergency
Dec 31, 1964Heavy Rains & FloodingMajor disaster

Idaho also had 16 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1967

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 114 storm reports in Blaine County since 1967, with 1 death and 0 injuries and about $22.6 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F0 tornado on May 5, 2005 near Carey.

6tornadoes
9hail reports, largest 1.75 inches
59damaging thunderstorm winds
29floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
May 5, 2005F0Carey0 / 0
May 5, 2005F0Carey0 / 0
Jul 7, 1988F0–0 / 0
May 18, 1991F0–0 / 0
Jun 5, 1995F0Magic Reservoir0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
May 1, 2017FloodSun Vly$10M
Aug 1, 2014Heavy RainGalena$5M
Jun 1, 2017FloodSun Vly$5M
Jun 1, 2023FloodHailey$2M
Jun 1, 2018FloodHailey$950K
Feb 4, 2017FloodBellevue$220K

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jun 25, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Flood insurance in Blaine County

Check your address flood zone ›
2.8%of homes have federal flood insurance (377 policies)
27.2%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$3.9 millionpaid on 309 flood claims since 1978
2017costliest year, with $2.6 million paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Blaine County

$735,300median home value (Idaho $418,600, US $332,700)
1987median year homes were built (Idaho 1991, US 1980)
38%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
1.7%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 15,989 housing units.

Compare in Idaho

All 44 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Ada CountyModerateInland flooding
Canyon CountyLowInland flooding
Kootenai CountyLowInland flooding
Bonneville CountyModerateInland flooding
Twin Falls CountyLowInland flooding
Bannock CountyLowWildfire
Madison CountyLowInland flooding
Bingham CountyLowInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Bingham CountyLow5
Elmore CountyLow9
Cassia CountyLow3
Minidoka CountyVery Low3
Power CountyVery Low3
Lincoln CountyVery Low5
Custer CountyLow5
Butte CountyVery Low4

Common questions about Blaine County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Blaine County?

Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Blaine County, about $15.2 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Avalanche is second at $5.8 million.

How many federal disasters has Blaine County had?

Blaine County has been included in 8 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1964, including 3 major disasters. The most recent was Ross Fork Fire in September 2022.

Is Blaine County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 8th highest of 44 in Idaho. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Blaine County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 36 homes in Blaine County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Blaine County had?

NOAA records list 6 tornadoes in Blaine County since 1950. The strongest was an F0 tornado on May 5, 2005 near Carey. The weather service has also logged 9 hail reports and 29 floods here.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.