Flooding: Not If, But When And How Much

The pleasant weather lately has been giving folks in North Idaho an uneasy feeling.

“I don’t like it ‘cause it’s just delaying the melt,” said George Currier, Benewah County’s civil defense director. “The rivers are running real clear yet. I’d be happier if they were running a little dirtier.”

The same concerns are being heard in Kootenai County, where disaster officials were briefed recently by weather and water experts on flooding prospects.

“We were told basically that it wasn’t a matter of whether we’d flood, but when and how much,” said Sandy Von Behren, operations coordinator for Kootenai County Disaster Services.

Temperatures in the past week have been below normal, according to the National Weather Service, but the long-term forecast is calling for higher-than-normal temperatures and precipitation.

Even with normal spring conditions, county officials are expecting floods.

“This time of year, the most beneficial thing would be to see water coming out of the mountains,” said Brian Avery, weather service hydrologist. “And we haven’t seen any decrease in the snowpack.”

According to the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the snowpack in the Panhandle is 145 percent of normal for this time of year. Last year, it was only 71 percent of normal at this time.

“It’s kind of just sitting there,” said NRCS hydrologist Phil Morrisey.

Everyone knows that the recipe for disaster is warm temperatures and rain. Local officials are expecting both.

“The chances of there being a major flood are very real,” said Mike Doherty of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Even with normal conditions, the Coeur d’Alene River could crest at 46 feet, three feet above flood stage, and the St. Joe River could crest at 37.6 feet, five feet above flood stage.

Both Lake Coeur d’Alene and Lake Pend Oreille are expected to reach flood stage under normal conditions.

Emergency officials are asking residents to be prepared.

The Panhandle chapter of the American Red Cross advised residents in flood prone areas to prepare a disaster plan. Preparations should include:

A place to go in case of evacuation and alternative routes to get there.

A disaster supplies kit containing a first aid kit and essential medications, a battery-powered radio and flashlight, extra batteries, canned food and opener, bottled water, rubber boots and work gloves.

Flood insurance.

The Red Cross also advised listening to the radio or watching TV for flood information. If a flood watch is issued, move furniture and valuables to a higher location. In case of a flood warning, residents may be advised to evacuate.

“It’s just a matter of waiting now and hoping for the best,” Currier said.

, DataTimes