Mudslide Shuts Down Boundary Schools

Boundary County schools will be closed and no activities will be held until at least Wednesday as officials deal with a mudslide that wiped out a two-mile stretch of Highway 95 one mile north of Bonners Ferry.

District administrators are scheduled to meet today to discuss reopening schools.

Idaho Gov. Phil Batt has declared a state of emergency following Friday’s mudslide.

No one was hurt in the slow-but-large mudslide, but five pieces of heavy equipment were buried. A private contractor was in the midst of a reconstruction project of the North Hill area; officials say the project may have to be reconfigured.

The mud didn’t cover the highway, but damaged it. Large chunks of pavement were bitten from 100 feet of the northbound lanes and dirt was pulled from beneath the southbound lane.

The cause of the slide hasn’t been determined.

The highway is the only major route between Idaho and Canada. Detour signs are posted directing motorists to follow Highway 2 to Highway 56, back to Highway 2 and onto Highway 95.

This sidebar appeared with the story: UPDATES For updates on the school closure, call the district’s emergency line at (208) 267-8934.