Record rains soak Bonner County
<p>Pools of water created huge puddles in roads and other areas around Sandpoint throughout the week as nonstop rains soaked the region. (Photo by CAMERON RASMUSSON)</p>
SANDPOINT — Residents annoyed by the constant rain throughout the week now have record-setting numbers to back up their complaints.
After the heavy showers throughout the month and particularly in the last few days, the National Weather Service has posted new records for monthly rainfall in Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry and Priest River.
With one more day in the month to go and rainfall predicted for Saturday, the final tally won’t even be close.
“The old records have basically been shattered,” said Steven Van Horn, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Spokane.
By late afternoon Friday, the most recent numbers put Sandpoint at 7.71 inches, Bonners Ferry at 5.83 inches and Priest River at 6.57 inches of rain. For comparison, Sandpoint’s previous record was 6.70 inches in 1997, while Bonners Ferry hit 3.99 inches in 1950 and 3.84 inches in 1987. In both cases, the this year’s measurements represent the highest precipitation in at least 100 years — Sandpoint has records dating back to 1910 and Bonners Ferry to 1907.
In addition, Schweitzer Mountain Resort officials reported a summit snow reading of 203 inches — also a new record.
According to Van Horn, low pressure just offshore and a moist northwesterly flow combined to establish the rainy weather. However, the intensity of rainfall stands to taper off somewhat as new systems move into the area. Van Horn expects to see the rain levels increase by another half inch on Saturday and ease up in the coming weeks.
“It looks like the worst of it will continue from (Friday) until (Saturday),” he said.
The heavy rain has been problematic in several areas of Panhandle counties. Highland Flats and Cow Creek roads in Boundary County have both been affected by wash-outs. Similarly, the weather took its toll on Gold Creek, Talache and East Shore roads in Bonner County.
As for water levels around the area, Van Horn said there’s no cause for widespread concern yet. The lake level is holding stable and major rivers show no signs of flooding yet. If there are any bodies of water to watch, it will be the smaller creeks and streams throughout the region.
“The main rivers don’t seem to be an issue, but those smaller creeks fill up a lot faster,” Van Horn said.