Idaho, 1997

Debris Flow and Damaging Winds in Idaho, June 17, 1997

June 17, 1997 · NWS BOI · 7 events in 5 counties and zones

During the evening of June 17, a severe thunderstorm developed over southeastern Oregon and crossed into southwest Idaho moving to the northeast. Numerous reports of severe winds and damages were received from spotters.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
7

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BOI wrote it up.

During the evening of June 17, a severe thunderstorm developed over southeastern Oregon and crossed into southwest Idaho moving to the northeast. Numerous reports of severe winds and damages were received from spotters. Investigations by Weather Service officials indicated a number of downburst signatures throughout Payette County. Spotter reports indicated damaging winds in Gem County and Boise County. In Payette County an office building was damaged and several roofs were torn off homes. In Gem County a wind gust was reported at 69 mph. Large trees were reported uprooted in Boise County. This thunderstorm produced heavy rains in Boise County which led to several mudslides across Route 17 between Banks and Lowman .A second severe thunderstorm formed over the Treasure Valley shortly after 7:00 pm MDT. This storm produced estimated winds to 60 mph in Ada County and Elmore County, as well as a spotter report of two funnel clouds near Mayfield in Elmore County.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

5 thunderstorm wind, 1 debris flow, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Payette

When
June 17, 3:55 PM MST to 4:20 PM MST
Where
Payette County, New Plymouth to 5 mi E of Fruitland
Measured
85 kt (98 mph)
Coordinates
43.900, -116.820

Thunderstorm Wind, Gem

When
June 17, 4:38 PM MST
Where
Gem County, 5 mi NE of Emmett
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates
43.920, -116.430

Thunderstorm Wind, Boise

When
June 17, 5:05 PM MST
Where
Boise County, Garden Vly
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates
44.080, -115.450

Debris Flow, Boise

When
June 17, 6:00 PM MST to 7:00 PM MST
Where
Boise County, Banks
Coordinates
43.989, -115.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Ada

When
June 17, 6:10 PM MST
Where
Ada County, 5 mi N of Orchard
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates
43.380, -116.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Elmore

When
June 17, 6:22 PM MST
Where
Elmore County, 3 mi E of Mayfield
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates
43.420, -115.850

Funnel Cloud, Ada

When
June 17, 6:25 PM MST
Where
Ada County, 5 mi N of Orchard
Coordinates
43.451, -116.241 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Debris Flow
A fast-moving slurry of mud, rock and debris, usually on a slope soaked by heavy rain or stripped by a fire.
Funnel Cloud
A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Idaho in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, June 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5607484, 5607485, 5607486, 5607487, 5607488, 5607489, 5607490.