Portion of Lightning Creek flooded, closed

CLARK FORK — Significant flooding has caused a portion of Lightning Creek Road to wash out, necessitating closure for an indefinite period, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The portion of the road that washed out is not maintained by Bonner County’s Road and Bridge Department, said director Jason Topp. The washout is about 10 miles outside of the county’s maintenance area, on what is also called Forest Road 419.

The U.S. Forest Service — which cares for that part of the road — has placed blockers on the right-of-way to prevent injury to persons or vehicles who might attempt to drive through the water.

“Severe flooding and washing out of the roadbed has made the road impassable,” Forest Service officials said. “The Forest Service plans to keep a closure in place until the flooding subsides and needed repairs can be made.”

Other than this portion of Lightning Creek Road, Topp said there are no other reported incidents of flooded or damaged county-maintained roads due to the recent excessive rainfall.

“The creeks and rivers are very high but have not breached any of our roads yet,” he said. “We are keeping a close eye on all our critical areas, monitoring the flooding issues that may come up. With any luck, they should start receding over the next day or so.”