President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for six North Idaho counties, unlocking federal assistance for communities still recovering from a powerful storm system that struck the region in mid-March and caused more than $5.9 million in damage.

Storm’s Scope and Impact

The March 11–15 storm brought extreme conditions across northern Idaho, with wind gusts recorded between 58 and 99 mph and heavy rainfall driven by an atmospheric river system. The combination produced flooding, landslides, and debris runoff throughout the region. More than 11,000 customers lost power during the event.

The declaration covers Benewah, Bonner, Clearwater, Kootenai, Latah, and Nez Perce counties — a stretch of North Idaho that absorbed the storm’s worst effects.

Federal Assistance Now Available

Trump’s approval activates the Public Assistance Program, which allows government agencies and eligible private nonprofit organizations within the designated counties to apply for federal reimbursement of storm-related costs. The application window closes July 30, 2026, giving affected entities 30 days to submit requests.

The declaration followed a joint preliminary damage assessment completed in April by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Idaho Office of Emergency Management, and local representatives from the affected counties.

Governor Brad Little welcomed the federal action, saying the declaration “marks an important next step” as North Idaho continues its recovery from what he described as a devastating storm. Ben Roeber, bureau chief of the Office of Emergency Management, said the approval “will help eligible communities recover from these damages.”

Southwest Idaho Storm Also on the Radar

While North Idaho communities focus on recovery, state emergency managers are also monitoring storm damage in the southwestern part of the state. Residents of Ada and Canyon counties are being encouraged to report damage from a separate storm that struck June 26–27. The Idaho Office of Emergency Management is collecting those damage reports through its online portal at ioem.idaho.gov/report-damages.

Documenting damage from the June storm is a preliminary step that could support a future disaster declaration request if losses are significant enough to meet federal thresholds.

What Comes Next

For the six North Idaho counties already under the approved declaration, the immediate priority is ensuring that eligible applicants — including local governments, special districts, and qualifying nonprofits — submit their public assistance requests before the July 30 deadline. Missing the window could leave recoverable costs without federal support.

State emergency management officials have been working alongside county representatives throughout the assessment and declaration process. With the declaration now in hand, the focus shifts to guiding applicants through the federal reimbursement process and ensuring that storm-related costs are properly documented and submitted.

The Forest Service and other federal land management agencies operating in the affected counties may also have a role in addressing lingering infrastructure issues, particularly in areas hit by landslides and debris flows. The Forest Service has been navigating significant internal restructuring in recent months, which could affect its capacity to respond to recovery needs on federal lands in the region.

Broader Context

North Idaho’s geography makes it particularly vulnerable to atmospheric river events, which can funnel large amounts of Pacific moisture into mountainous terrain. The March storm’s combination of high winds and heavy rainfall created conditions that overwhelmed drainage systems and destabilized slopes across multiple counties.

Presidential disaster declarations are not automatic — states must demonstrate that local and state resources are insufficient to cover damages before federal assistance is authorized. The April assessment process, involving FEMA and state and local officials, laid the groundwork for the approval that came through this week.

With both a concluded North Idaho recovery effort and a newly reported southwest Idaho storm event, Idaho’s emergency management infrastructure is handling an active workload heading into the latter half of summer.