Photo: sporst · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Blackfoot faces more hazard damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blackfoot gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #34 of 59 in Idaho. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then earthquakes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Blackfoot faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Blackfoot’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blackfoot, and Blackfoot’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 31% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #34 of 59 in Idaho; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blackfoot’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Idaho town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Blackfoot has more expected damage per building than 57% of Idaho towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Blackfoot: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blackfoot flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blackfoot, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Blackfoot isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bingham County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Blackfoot
Disasters that paid out in Blackfoot itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Blackfoot), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$23K to the City of Blackfoot for repairs
Bingham County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Blackfoot after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blackfoot archive →Get ready for what Blackfoot faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Blackfoot
Is Blackfoot at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blackfoot has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #34 of 59 in Idaho. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and earthquakes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blackfoot flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Blackfoot since 1979, $2K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Blackfoot in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Bingham County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Blackfoot?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blackfoot’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Blackfoot?
By FEMA money that reached Blackfoot, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2017): $23K to the City of Blackfoot for repairs.
Is Blackfoot at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Blackfoot’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blackfoot.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blackfoot’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.