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Governor urges Idahoans to be flood aware |
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April 20, 2017 |
Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter urged Idahoans
to exercise increased caution and keep a close
eye on the increasing risk of flooding along
many of the state’s waterways – from the Boise,
Payette, Big Wood and Little Wood to the Bear
and Upper Snake river basins.
The latest information on Idaho’s mountain
snowpack and local flood threats throughout the
state is on the Idaho Department of Water
Resources website at
https://www.idwr.idaho.gov/flooding-resources.html.
“As I’ve traveled around the state in the past
three months, I’ve seen firsthand the
destruction caused by this unprecedented
weather. Now the snow that in some areas is
continuing to fall is turning into runoff that’s
filling our rivers and reservoirs to
overflowing, threatening people and property
statewide,” Otter said. “Most of our counties
have declared disasters, and we’re working to
get assistance and relief deployed wherever it’s
needed as quickly as possible.”
The Governor met with federal, state and local
officials in Boise today to get the latest
information on disaster status and emergency
preparedness for local flooding conditions that
could continue throughout the summer. That
includes raising public awareness about the
importance of safety for citizens and first
responders.
“I urge everyone to understand the dangers posed
by floodwaters. Even when it looks shallow, the
power of moving water can be deadly. Just six
inches of water can overturn a large vehicle,
and three inches can knock over an adult,” he
said. “When you see signs that say ‘Don’t
enter,’ it’s critically important that you take
it seriously. Remember: ‘Turn Around – Don’t
Drown.’”
In the Boise River Basin, there is a small
chance that Lucky Peak, Anderson Ranch and Arrow
Rock reservoirs all could fill to capacity by
the end of May. That likely would prompt
increased flood-control releases downriver and
exceptionally high flows through the cities of
Boise, Garden City and Eagle.
Meantime, the cost of flooding, landslides,
avalanches and other weather-related damage
throughout Idaho is growing by the day. An
initial damage assessment to local
infrastructure in four northern Idaho counties
is about $7 million. Estimates are up to $5
million so far in north-central Idaho, and in
the Magic Valley and Mini-Cassia areas the
damage total is expected to be about $30
million. |
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