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Shoshone County, Idaho

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

Relatively Low overall risk
9th of 44highest risk in Idaho
$20Mexpected losses a year
14federal declarations
1 in 63homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Shoshone County, Idaho has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 63% of US counties. It ranks 9th of 44 counties in Idaho. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, avalanches and landslides. FEMA estimates about $20 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $1,523 per resident. Since 1964 it has been included in 14 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (13 major disasters). The most recent was in April 2026 (straight-line winds). About 1 in 62 homes here carry federal flood insurance (119 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $926,000 on 108 claims here.

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

Top risks in Shoshone County

$14.6 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
$3.7 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 6 years.
  • Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
  • Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.
$579,903 a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 2 times a year.
  • Look for cracks, tilting trees or fences on slopes nearby.
  • Ask the county about past slides on the street.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
Inland floodingModerate76.0
$15M
AvalancheVery High96.1
$4M
LandslideHigh98.2
$580K
Cold waveLow35.7
$471K
WildfireLow69.6
$149K
Heat waveVery Low30.6
$123K
EarthquakeVery Low38.4
$121K
Ice stormLow55.2
$94K
Winter weatherModerate61.9
$84K
Strong windVery Low5.5
$32K
LightningVery Low5.9
$16K
TornadoVery Low4.0
$11K
HailVery Low2.9
$4K
DroughtVery Low12.4
$1

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 moderate and community resilience is very low in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

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

By type

Flood6
Severe Storm4
Fire1
Volcanic Eruption1
Hurricane1
Straight-Line Winds1

Most recent

Apr 7, 2026Straight-Line WindsMajor disaster
Jun 10, 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesMajor disaster
Mar 4, 2021Straight-Line WindsMajor disaster
May 18, 2017Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesMajor disaster
May 20, 2011Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesMajor disaster
Jul 31, 2008FloodingMajor disaster
Sep 13, 2005Hurricane KatrinaEmergency
Jun 13, 1997Severe Storms, Snowmelt, Land/Mud Slides, FloodingMajor disaster
Jan 4, 1997Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and LandslidesMajor disaster
Feb 11, 1996Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Show all 14
May 22, 1980Volcanic Eruption, Mt. St. HelensMajor disaster
Jan 25, 1974Severe Storms, Snowmelt & FloodingMajor disaster
Aug 30, 1967Forest FiresMajor disaster
Dec 31, 1964Heavy Rains & FloodingMajor disaster

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

Storm history since 1963

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 83 storm reports in Shoshone County since 1963, with 1 death and 3 injuries and about $3.2 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F0 tornado on June 5, 1987.

1tornadoes
17hail reports, largest 2.75 inches
33damaging thunderstorm winds
27floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Jun 5, 1987F0–3 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
Jan 16, 2011FloodKingston$1M
Jul 6, 1995Thunderstorm WindSilver Valley$500K
Mar 15, 2017FloodStetson$385K
Mar 28, 2012FloodPrichard$340K
Mar 15, 2017FloodKingston$200K
Dec 29, 2011Thunderstorm WindOsburn$198K

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Dec 10, 2025. 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 Shoshone County

Check your address flood zone ›
1.6%of homes have federal flood insurance (119 policies)
5.3%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$925,518paid on 108 flood claims since 1978
1996costliest year, with $637,221 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 Shoshone County

$267,400median home value (Idaho $418,600, US $332,700)
1959median year homes were built (Idaho 1991, US 1980)
73%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
9%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; 7,049 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
Kootenai CountyLow16
Bonner CountyLow16
Latah CountyVery Low14
Sanders County, MTLow14
Benewah CountyVery Low14
Clearwater CountyLow13
Mineral County, MTVery Low8

Common questions about Shoshone County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Shoshone County?

Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Shoshone County, about $14.6 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Avalanche is second at $3.7 million.

How many federal disasters has Shoshone County had?

Shoshone County has been included in 14 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1964, including 13 major disasters. The most recent was Straight-Line Winds in April 2026.

Is Shoshone County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 9th 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 Shoshone County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 63 homes in Shoshone 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 Shoshone County had?

NOAA records list 1 tornadoes in Shoshone County since 1950. The strongest was an F0 tornado on June 5, 1987. The weather service has also logged 17 hail reports and 27 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.