Ada County, ID Environment & Hazard Risk

• Winter weatherVery High$3M/yr expected annual loss, about 8.9 events a year
• WildfireRelatively High$26.6M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 87 years
• Heat waveRelatively Moderate$7M/yr expected annual loss, about 4.4 events a year
• Strong windRelatively High$3.8M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• LightningRelatively High$2M/yr expected annual loss, about 20 events a year
• EarthquakeRelatively Low$6.6M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 402 years
• Ice stormRelatively Moderate$706K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 10 years
• Volcanic activityVery Low$235/yr expected annual loss, about once every 5,000 years
• LandslideRelatively Low$8,900/yr expected annual loss, about once every 7 years
• HailRelatively Low$525K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 4 years
• Cold waveRelatively Low$1.7M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 9 years
• AvalancheVery Low$132/yr expected annual loss, about once every 100 years
• TornadoRelatively Low$686K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 18 years
• DroughtVery Low$783/yr expected annual loss, about 14 events a year

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: coastal flooding, hurricane, riverine flooding, tsunami.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

1,541 of 163,202 (0.9%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

3,840

Insured in high-risk zones

968 (25%)

Flood claims since 1978

133

Claims paid since 1978

$499K

• Thunderstorm Wind80
• Heavy Snow38
• High Wind25
• Hail22
• Heavy Rain17
• Flood14
• Flash Flood10
• Tornado8
• Wildfire6 · 1 death
• Strong Wind5

• Thunderstorm Wind59 kt wind08/22/2010

  (Boi)gowen Fld Boise, Ada County

  70 injured

  What happened

  The BOI ASOS measured a wind gust of 68 MPH and several reports were received for wind damage including downed trees and power lines. Minor injuries were reported from the Western Idaho Fair as a result of temporary structures collapsing.

• Wildfire08/25/2008

  Upper Treasure Valley

  1 death, $5M damage

  What happened

  A wildfire in Southeast Boise caused by an electrical component near an Idaho Power sub station quickly burned out of control destroying 10 homes and damaging many more including 1 fatality. Another wildfire near Mountain Home burned around 500 acres.

• Heavy Snow01/18/2023

  Upper Treasure Valley

  7 injured

  What happened

  The Ada County Sheriff attributed 48 total traffic accidents to the snowfall and resulting slippery road conditions.

• Thunderstorm Wind54 kt wind07/25/2002

  Meridian, Ada County

  4 injured

  What happened

  Thunderstorm winds brought down trees and power lines which left over 5000 homes and businesses without power. Winds also kicked up dust which reduced visibility to near zero on Interstate 84 near Blacks Creek Road. This resulted in a 12 car pileup in which four persons were injured. Wind gusts were measured at 62 mph at KTVB TV in Meridian and at 69 mph at Dead Indian RAWS in western Washington County.

• Thunderstorm Wind61 kt wind10/19/2019

  Kuna, Ada County

  2 injured

  What happened

  The public in Kuna reported several large trees, power lines and fences down, and car damage. The Boise Fire Department reported a lightning strike on a house 2 miles east of Boise. Two injuries were reported including two dogs that died in the fire.

• Flood05/01/2017

  Barber, Ada County

  $2M damage

  What happened

  The Boise River remained in flood during the entire month of May due to planned release from Lucky Peak dam. Regulated flows were above flood stage for 101 days resulting in extensive damage to the Greenbelt and Nature Trail paths. Extensive flood fight efforts continued in the Eagle Island area to prevent a pit capture. Widespread flooding continued on Eagle Island in the Riviera Estates area where several homes were surrounded by water and low lying roads were inundated. Large portions of Ann Morrison Park, Barber Park, and Marianne Williams Park were impacted by flood waters. Some residential streets continued to be impacted by flood waters, especially in the Garden City Warehouse District and on Eagle Island. A pit capture occurred just downstream of Eagle Island causing a major shift in the river channel. Streets in the Stonebriar development just downstream of the Highway 16 bridge were inundated by water. Severe bank erosion and large trees washed into the river caused problems in the river channel and at some bridge crossings.

• Veolia Water IdahoServes 264,978 · Surface water · PrivateNo health violations
• Meridian Water DeptServes 152,070 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• Kuna City ofServes 32,038 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Star Sewer and Water Dist Water SystemServes 14,000 · Groundwater · Public and privateNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Garden City Water and Sewer SystemServes 12,500 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Capitol Water CorpServes 9,000 · Groundwater · Private3 health violations+121 monitoring or reporting
• Eagle, City of (Western Zone)Serves 6,108 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+2 monitoring or reporting
• Eagle, City of (Eastern Zone)Serves 3,702 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations