U.S. 395 reopens in Chewelah

The Washington Department of Transportation this morning reported that U.S. Highway 395 through Chewelah was blocked by flood waters from Chewelah Creek but reopened by 10 a.m. A detour had been set up on North Second Street West from South Avenue northward to the north side of the city. Water has been overflowing on Chewelah Creek as a result of snow melt and rain in recent days, and a portion of the highway runs along the creek on Park Street. Elsewhere, high water on lakes and rivers was expected to crest this week and start to fall slowly. The Spokane River will crest near flood stage on Thursday night and remain high, officials said.