Idaho, 1998

Flash Flooding and Wildfire in Idaho, September 8 to 25, 1998

September 8 to 25, 1998 · NWS OTX · 4 events in 3 counties and zones

2 flash flood, 2 wildfire, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 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
$110,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
4

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.

The radar

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

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Event by event

2 flash flood, 2 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Nez Perce

When
September 8, 4:00 PM PST to 5:30 PM PST
Where
Nez Perce County, Lewiston
Property damage
$30,000
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
46.327, -116.750 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Rainfall amounts of up to 0.87" caused local flooding around the city of Lewiston, especially in parking lots and city streets. The heavy rain also caused several mudslides which closed roads. A lighting strike set a power pole on fire.

Wildfire, Kootenai

When
September 14, 12:15 PM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where
Kootenai County, 4 mi SE of Worley
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
47.675, -116.700 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 30 acre grass fire spread into timber land, closing Sunny Slope Road. Breezy winds helped carry the fire.

Wildfire, Shoshone

When
September 14, 2:00 PM PST to September 15, 6:00 PM PST
Where
Shoshone County, 1 mi N of Kingston
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
47.352, -115.891 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 40 acre fire spread out of control, due mostly to breezy conditions.

Flash Flood, Nez Perce

When
September 25, 5:15 PM PST to 7:00 PM PST
Where
Nez Perce County, Lewiston
Property damage
$40,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
46.327, -116.750 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Over three quarters of an inch caused local flooding around the city of Lewiston. Flooding occurred on the interstate bridge, closing it for two hours. Several roads were covered by up to 2 feet of water.

What these are

Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Wildfire
A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Idaho in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, September 1998

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: 5668780, 5668778, 5668779, 5668781.