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Brace for more rain, mud and high water |
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April 5, 2017 |
Flooding problems may redevelop late this week
and into the weekend as a series of moist
Pacific storms bring potentially significant
rainfall and mild temperatures to the region,
according to National Weather Service forecasts.
One round of rain and high mountain is expected
to arrive Thursday, a second wet system comes on
Friday, followed by showery and cooler weather
for Saturday. Snow levels are expected to rise
above 5,000 feet Thursday through Friday, and
two-day rainfall amounts could range from 0.70-
to 1.5-inches across north central Washington
into North Idaho.
These rounds of precipitation along with the
current status of saturated soils could lead to
new or renewed flooding or high water issues.
Low lying areas, small streams and steep slopes
are the most vulnerable. Additional landslides
are also possible until soils dry out.
In Boundary County, the new rainfall is almost
certain to increase traffic problems on Highway
95 at the Mountain Meadows mudslide, where
traffic has been one lane since the slope gave
way two weeks ago, and on the north end of Deep
Creek Loop, which has been completely closed
since the early morning of March 22.
In both locations, the soils are still highly
unstable; on the hill overlooking the north
bound lane on Highway 95, where ITD and contract
crews are working around the clock to clear the
mud and keep the south lane open, on Deep Creek
Loop, it is the ground supporting the roadbed
that is moving, opening fissures in the road
between Mirror Lake Golf Course and the railroad
trestle, and threatening to drop portions of the
roadway down into the district, which now
resembles the historic Mirror Lake that existed
before the dikes were built.
Field flooding up the valley is also likely to
get worse as the Kootenai River, which dropped
below the 57-foot action stage at Bonners Ferry
Tuesday for the first time since March 29, is
expected to rise to 58.62 feet Around April 9.
This is well short of minor flood stage, which
is 64 feet, but it will keep water tables high
and prolong the field flooding in the valley
from Bonners Ferry north to Canada, keeping
farmers anxious as to whether they'll be able to
get in to plant in time to produce a crop.
In Bonners Ferry, the National Weather Service
predicts a 40-percent chance of light rain
tonight, increasing to a 70-percent chance on
Thursday, when up to 0.25-inch is expected.
After a lull late Thursday into Friday morning,
clouds are expected to roll in by about 11 a.m.,
bringing not only moderate to heavy rains of up
to half an inch, but thunder boomers through
Friday night as well.
On the 10-day Weatherbug forecast, there is very
little sun through the middle of the month, with
a chance of rain every day through Saturday,
April 15.
The chance of light to moderate rain remains at
50-percent or higher through the weekend, then
declines to a 20-percent chance by next
Wednesday.
Residents and travelers are encouraged to
monitor this weather situation for updates,
watches or warnings. People who live along
streams or rivers should monitor water levels
closely, and those on or atop hillsides should
be alert to signs of ground failure such as soil
crumbling and falling away or trees starting to
lean or shift. If such activity appears,
authorities should be notified and, if
significant, preparations be made to evacuate.
To report flooding or landslide problems in
Boundary County, call the sheriff's office at
(208) 267-3151 and select "0" for dispatch. In
the event of an emergency, dial 911.
To keep up with the latest conditions and/or
emergencies, keep an eye on this page,
refreshing often, or follow NewsBF on
Facebook. No other news source serving
Boundary County works harder to bring you the
news you need when you need it, in time to make
a difference. |
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