R.H. and Jessie Bell House · Photo: Tamanoeconomico · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Meridian than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meridian gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #9 of 59 in Idaho. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 stands out about Meridian’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Meridian 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 Meridian’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Meridian, and Meridian’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
A #9 of 59 in Idaho; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Meridian’s residents live in 36 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, Meridian has less expected damage per building than 86% of Idaho towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Meridian has lower expected damage per building than 97% (#13 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $17.3M, is the 392th largest of those 400.
Does Meridian flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Meridian, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Meridian is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ada County.The storms Meridian remembers
None of the 3 disasters declared for Ada County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Meridian itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20101 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Ada County has had 3 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 Meridian after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Meridian archive →Meridian and its neighbors
Meridian has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Boise City | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Kuna | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Eagle | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Meridian 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.
- Meridian residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Meridian
Is Meridian at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meridian has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #9 of 59 in Idaho. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Meridian flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Meridian since 2010, $24K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Meridian 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 Ada County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Meridian?
Meridian is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Meridian at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Meridian’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Meridian.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Meridian’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.