President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for six North Idaho counties following a powerful mid-March storm that caused more than $5.9 million in damages across the region, opening the door to federal recovery funding for local governments and nonprofit organizations.
Why It Matters
The declaration unlocks access to FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which allows government agencies and qualifying private nonprofits in the affected Idaho counties to seek reimbursement for storm-related repair and recovery costs. Without the federal designation, local governments would bear the full financial burden of restoring damaged roads, facilities, and infrastructure.
What Happened
The storm struck North Idaho between March 11 and 15, bringing wind gusts ranging from 58 to 99 mph alongside heavy rainfall tied to an atmospheric river system. The severe weather produced flooding, landslides, and debris flows across a wide swath of the region.
More than 11,000 customers lost power during the storm as high winds snapped utility poles, knocked down trees, and deposited debris on power lines. Roads and public facilities also sustained extensive damage.
The six counties covered under the disaster declaration are Benewah, Bonner, Clearwater, Kootenai, Latah, and Nez Perce. FEMA, the Idaho Office of Emergency Management, and local representatives completed a joint preliminary damage assessment in April, confirming total losses exceeded $5.9 million across the affected area.
Governor Brad Little said the declaration is a critical step forward. “It helps provide the resources our communities need to restore public infrastructure, support businesses, and maintain our high quality of life,” he said in a public statement.
Ben Roeber, Bureau Chief of the Office of Emergency Management, said his agency plans to remain closely engaged with local partners and FEMA as the recovery process moves forward.
By the Numbers
- 6 counties included in the major disaster declaration
- 58–99 mph wind gusts recorded during the March storm
- $5.9 million+ in confirmed damages across affected counties
- 11,000+ customers lost electrical service during the storm
- July 30, 2026 — deadline to apply for Public Assistance Program funding
Zoom Out
North Idaho’s March storm is part of a broader pattern of severe weather events linked to atmospheric river systems, which have caused significant infrastructure damage across the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West in recent years. Federal disaster declarations have become an increasingly common tool for helping smaller rural communities recover from storm damage that strains limited local budgets.
Idaho has been active on multiple federal and intergovernmental fronts in 2026. The state is among 17 states challenging a California plastics law in federal court, reflecting ongoing disputes over how state-level regulations affect businesses and residents nationwide.
What’s Next
Eligible entities in the six covered counties have a 30-day window to submit applications for Public Assistance Program funding, with the deadline falling on July 30, 2026. Government departments and private nonprofit organizations in Benewah, Bonner, Clearwater, Kootenai, Latah, and Nez Perce counties are encouraged to begin the application process promptly.
Meanwhile, a separate storm struck southwest Idaho on June 26–27, affecting the Ada and Canyon County areas. Residents and entities in those counties who experienced storm-related damage are being directed to submit reports through the Idaho Office of Emergency Management’s damage reporting portal at ioem.idaho.gov/report-damages. Whether that event will result in a separate federal declaration has not yet been determined.
State emergency management officials indicated they will continue coordinating with FEMA and local partners throughout the recovery period for the March storm declaration.