BOISE, ID — Parts of Idaho’s Treasure Valley were hit by severe thunderstorms and hail over the first full summer weekend, sending water, ice and debris across suburban streets near Boise. Social media posts and local reporting showed cars partly submerged, trash bins floating and one resident paddling a bright green kayak through floodwater.
The storm system also brought strong winds and repeated lightning, with officials describing a chaotic round of weather that spread damage across multiple counties.
Flooding Hits Neighborhoods
In northwest Meridian and other neighborhoods, hail piled up quickly and then melted, adding to runoff that storm drains could not handle. Boise-based National Weather Service lead meteorologist Josh Smith said some employees saw several inches of small hail on the ground, followed by more than an inch of rain.
That combination pushed water into streets and around parked cars, with some vehicles reported submerged up to their windows.
Lightning And Strong Winds
The storm was also marked by intense lightning. Rural Owyhee County, near the Nevada border, recorded 553 lightning strikes, while Ada County saw 100 strikes in one day.
Smith said that was the second-most lightning ever recorded in Ada County on a single June day since 2000. Winds during the event topped 50 mph, adding to the damage in the region.
Local Officials Respond
In Canyon County, officials declared a countywide disaster emergency as crews responded to the aftermath. The Ada County Highway District said employees worked overnight clearing flooded roads and dealing with other hazards.
The Boise Police Department posted photos of water-covered roads and urged drivers to use extreme caution while traveling through affected areas.
Mudslides Close Roads
Neighboring Payette County also saw severe impacts, where mudslides tied to the flooding led to highway and street closures on Friday. The sheriff’s office said multiple roads were affected as crews dealt with the aftermath of the heavy weather.
Officials had not immediately said whether anyone was injured. The storm’s reach underscored how quickly the system spread beyond one neighborhood or county.
More Winter Weather Ahead
Forecasters said the dangerous weather was expected to continue through the weekend, with a winter storm warning issued for parts of eastern Idaho. Areas above 6,500 feet were expected to receive up to 8 inches of snow.
The advisory warned of cold, wet backcountry conditions, a higher risk of hypothermia and the possibility that wet snow could bring down trees and block forest roads.
Utah, from the Wasatch to the border – Chambyte has it covered.