Photo: Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Lewiston than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewiston gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #19 of 59 in Idaho. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%), then wildfire (11%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1984.
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 Lewiston 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
Wildfire
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 Lewiston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lewiston, and Lewiston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 11%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #19 of 59 in Idaho; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lewiston’s residents live in 8 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, Lewiston has less expected damage per building than 69% of Idaho towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.4M a year in losses across Lewiston: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lewiston flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lewiston, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lewiston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nez Perce County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lewiston
Disasters that paid out in Lewiston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lewiston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Straight-line Winds$27K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 2005Heavy Rains and Flooding$52K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
Nez Perce County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Nez Perce County, 2021–2024.
Old photos of Lewiston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lewiston archive →Lewiston and its neighbors
Lewiston is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Clarkston-Highland | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lewiston | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Clarkston | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Lewiston 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Lewiston
Is Lewiston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewiston has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #19 of 59 in Idaho. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and wildfire (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lewiston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Lewiston since 1984, $6K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lewiston 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 Nez Perce County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Lewiston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lewiston’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 Lewiston?
By FEMA money that reached Lewiston, Heavy Rains and Flooding (2005): $52K to the City of Lewiston for repairs.
Is Lewiston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Lewiston’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lewiston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lewiston’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.