Presidential Disaster Declaration Issued for Idaho Storm Damage

Idaho received a presidential major disaster declaration after a storm caused significant damage in the state, according to the Idaho Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Register. The declaration enables public infrastructure restoration and assistance for eligible organizations affected by the storm. Clearwater and Nez Perce Counties are identified in both reports as among the counties covered by the declaration. The Idaho Office of Emergency Management states that Gov. Brad Little issued a state disaster declaration to support stabilization of infrastructure and prevention of washouts, and that the presidential declaration followed a March storm bringing high winds and flooding, with damages confirmed to exceed $5.9 million across six counties. Separately, the Federal Register published a notice dated April 21, 2026, describing a presidential major disaster declaration for public assistance only, covering ten primary counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone. This notice allows private non-profit organizations that provide government-type services to apply for disaster loans. The two reports differ on the number of counties affected—six versus ten—and neither source clarifies whether these figures represent the same declaration at different stages or separate but related declarations. The exact date of the underlying storm, the precise timeline connecting the state and federal declarations, and the total scope of damage across all affected counties remain unresolved. It is unclear whether further federal assistance programs beyond public assistance and non-profit loans have been authorized.