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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Recent rains worsen region’s flooding

An inch and a half of rain and up to seven inches of snow fell over the past couple of days in some parts of the Inland Northwest, exacerbating current and future flooding problems.

However, cooler temperatures also have helped diminish the immediate concern in some areas, said John Livingston, who runs Spokane’s National Weather Service office.

Here’s an update on some areas that are in danger:

• The Moyie River was expected to hit flood stage Thursday night and run at that level for the next week or so.

• The Kettle River is expected to hit flood stage today.

• The Okanogan River is forecast to stay above flood stage for the next week.

• The Pend Oreille River below Albeni Falls Dam is forecast to go above flood flow of 100,000 cubic feet per second sometime Sunday and continue to rise over the next week.

• The Spokane River is expected to crest Saturday at 27.3 feet, then fall below flood stage of 27 feet by Memorial Day. Areas of potential concern include Riverfront Park and the Centennial Trail northeast of Mission Avenue, Livingston said.

“If you’re going to get in the river in any way, shape or form, you should know it’s very cold and very fast,” Livingston said.

• The Coeur d’Alene River at Cataldo is expected to crest three-quarters of a foot below flood stage this morning and then begin dropping slowly over the next week.

• Lake Coeur d’Alene is expected to crest late Saturday just below flood stage.

• Lake Pend Oreille is expected to crest next week, 1.38 feet below flood stage.

• Ferry County commissioners declared an emergency Thursday. Flooding was reported in several streams, including Barnaby, Lambert, St. Peters, Cottonwood and O’Brien creeks.