Waterlogged North Idaho having a meltdown
BRIAN WALKER/Press Northern Lakes Fire District Capt. Scott Hochberger, right, loads sand bags that were distributed to the district’s stations in preparation for flooding conditions due to the quick snow melt on Wednesday at Kootenai County’s storage near the Coeur d’Alene Airport. In the background are Northern Lakes Division Chief Mike Mather and Battalion Chief Kevin Croffoot.
BRIAN WALKER/Press Ashley Frederick, preparedness coordinator for the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management, hands off sand bags to Northern Lakes Firefighter Ryan Alltus inside Kootenai County's rail car container storage near the Coeur d'Alene Airport on Wednesday.
BRIAN WALKER/Press A grader clears slush from a runway at the Coeur d'Alene Airport on Wednesday.
LOREN BENOIT/PressCoeur d'Alene Street and Maintenance employee Jon Broemmeling removes a pile of snow from a nearby storm drain along Government Way Wednesday afternoon.
LISA JAMES /PressBill Davis, right, Cassidy McCoy, center, and Daniel Hall use shovels to remove slush and chip away at the ice underneath so that water can drain into the gutters at the intersection of Prarie Avenue and Wayne Drive in Hayden on Tuesday afternoon, January 18, 2017. As snow and ice melt when the weather warms, blocked drains are a common cause of street flooding. The crew from the Hayden Department of Public Works said they had removed blockage from at least a dozen locations, checking back multiple times throughout the day.
LISA JAMES /PressBill Davis, right, Daniel Hall, center, and Cassidy McCoy use shovels to remove slush and chip away at the ice underneath so that water can drain into the gutters at the intersection of Prarie Avenue and Wayne Drive in Hayden on Tuesday afternoon, January 18, 2017. As snow and ice melt when the weather warms, blocked drains are a common cause of street flooding. The crew from the Hayden Department of Public Works said they had removed blockage from at least a dozen locations, checking back multiple times throughout the day.
COEUR d'ALENE — Amanda Williams couldn't help but make light of the water-logged streets after battling her way to a gas station on Wednesday.
"Not to worry," the Hayden woman said with a smile. "I have oars in the trunk."
The great snowmelt of the winter struck in full force Wednesday with rain accompanying temperatures in the low 40s. The mild temperatures are expected to continue today and Friday.
The drastic turn in weather sent response agencies into high alert for possible flooding problems and street crews to storm drains to relieve ponds in the roads.
Sandy Von Behren, director of Kootenai County's Office of Emergency Management, told county commissioners during a briefing on Wednesday that 75,500 sand bags have been dispatched throughout the county.
When Commission Chairman Marc Eberlein learned some of the bags tore due to old age during tests by the county's agencies, he instructed Von Behren to order 10,000 more.
The Northern Lakes Fire District received more bags on Wednesday from OEM after some of the bags broke during testing. They failed when they were filled with sand and then tossed as if they were being piled during an actual flood.
"Burlap doesn't last forever," said Northern Lakes Division Chief Mike Mather. "We want to make sure we're covered."
Motorists and road crews learned just how much snowpack and ice was on the streets when a layer of ice still remained on the pavement in most areas even after melting and slush was removed.
"Even though the temperatures outside are above freezing, that doesn't mean the roads are," Von Behren said. "There's still frozen ice and snow on top of the roads. Don't have a false sense of security."
The ice buildup was also evident at the Coeur d'Alene Airport, where crews worked to clear what they could from the runways.
Joe Rossetti, ground operations manager for Resort Aviation Services at the airport, said both runways were closed Wednesday morning until the slush was cleared and deicer was applied. They were also closed two days last week.
He said Coeur d'Alene isn't the only airport scrambling to keep runways open.
"Some airplanes headed to Sandpoint were diverted to us," Rossetti said.
Von Behren said river levels haven't risen to the level of flooding concern yet, but that situation is being monitored closely.
John Condon, owner of North Idaho Maritime, said he's on standby to take a tugboat up the St. Joe River to break up the ice if necessary.
Von Behren said the gradual snow melt is needed, but if too much happens too fast, that can lead to major problems.
Press Meteorologist Randy Mann said what may help the area stave off those larger issues is the predicted below-freezing, but not frigid, temperatures this weekend and early next week.
He delivered another ray of hope.
"The second half of this winter won't be
anything like the first half," he said, referring to the bitter cold and tons of snow.
With the colder weather this weekend, the precipitation will turn to snow.
"Our best chance for more snow is Sunday," Mann said.
Mann warned motorists about black ice due to the melting conditions, followed by freezing nighttime temperatures.
"That could be a real problem the next couple days," he said. "When standing water freezes, it turns to black ice."
DO THIS AT HOME
Von Behren said homeowners can do their part during these melting conditions by clearing drains in their neighborhoods to ease street flooding. They can also clear snow from areas that slope toward their homes to decrease the chance for indoor flooding.
"We'll probably be seeing some basements with runoff," said Kevin Croffoot, Northern Lakes battalion chief. "There may also be sprinkler systems and pipes burst with the increase in temperature."
Tim Martin, Coeur d'Alene's street superintendent, said crews did a good job in the days leading up to the thaw, pushing back berms to open up the common flooding areas.
"As we continue to open up catch basins in residential areas we are also experiencing thick ice on top of the basins," he said. "We’re using equipment to open holes in the ice to allow flowing water. At the same time, as road temperatures are well below freezing we are also experiencing very slick roads in our residential areas. It seems ironic that you can be spreading sand on slick spots and moving snow from basins to prevent ponding."
Martin said motorists who see street flooding in Coeur d'Alene are urged to call 769-2234 or 676-0400. Please leave a name and address.