Camper rescued as flood watch continues

Flood warnings remain in effect for North Idaho and Eastern Washington as rain was expected to continue into this morning. At least one North Idaho camper already has had to be rescued. The stranded camper, who was on dry land when turned in for the evening Saturday on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, woke up on Sunday surrounded by water, according to Jerry Nickerson, of Nickerson Brothers Towing in Smelterville. Nickerson pulled the truck and camper about 1,000 feet through 3 ½ feet of water, “but the river is higher than that now.” The Coeur d’Alene River at Cataldo was at .3 feet above flood stage of 43 feet and was expected to continuing to crest at 44.8 feet this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. The St. Joe River at St. Maries, Idaho, had risen to 33.7 feet by Sunday afternoon, about 1 .2 feet above flood stage. It was expected to crest near 37.1 feet by Wednesday morning. The heaviest rain in Washington had fallen on the east slope of the Cascades. The Weather Service reported significant flooding along Colockum Creek, and mud slides were a threat in steep terrain in the Cascades.