Snowstorm wallops community, wreaks havoc

SANDPOINT — With anywhere from seven to 12 inches of snow in Bonner County, closures and cancellations were a common occurrence Wednesday.

Lake Pend Oreille School District announced its closure early Wednesday morning, saying that heavy accumulation of snow expected in the afternoon would not allow for bus routes to safely get students home. 

Similarly, West Bonner County School District closed for the day and canceled its annual board of trustee meeting scheduled for Wednesday night, rescheduling it for Jan. 22. 

Road conditions were as expected, Heather McDaniel, Idaho Transportation Department public information officer, said.

“Despite our best efforts to prepare ahead of time the storm and snow is accumulating at a rate that is outpacing our force this afternoon, so we are doing our best to keep lanes passable for vehicles, and hope to take advantage of any breaks in the weather later on tonight and tomorrow to catch up,” she said.

The snow paired with the low temperatures decreases the effectiveness of de-icing materials, which prompted ITD to supplement with sand to help increase traction, McDaniel said. 

The snow created sloppy conditions region-wide with numerous accidents reported throughout the county, prompting several Nixle alerts warning drivers that roads had been closed. Among the alerts was one for a fatal accident near Hope on Highway 200.

“If you must drive today, please use caution and drive carefully, in consideration of weather and some difficult road conditions,” Bonner County Sheriff’s Office officials said in an alert shortly after 11 a.m.

Chet Jackman, street supervisor for the city of Sandpoint, gave an update on street care at Wednesday night's city council meeting. While the city is currently out of a blower, he said his team acquired a rental Wednesday. Crews will be out Wednesday night working on downtown streets, he said. 

Schweitzer officials reported over eight inches of snow, with more on the way Wednesday evening.

“It was a really fun day out on the mountain and it seemed like hardly anyone was here,” officials said on the Schweitzer website. 

For Thursday’s forecast, the National Weather Service is predicting patchy blowing snow, partly sunny skies with a high temperature near 17 degrees. Wind chill values could be as low as negative 8 degrees. Winds are expected to be blustery, with north winds from 14 to 18 miles per hour and gusts as high as 31 miles per hour.

    A trio walks along First Avenue mid-afternoon on Wednesday as a snowstorm blanketed the region throughout the day.
  

    Drivers inch their way down Third Avenue Wednesday afternoon after the region got more than eight inches of snow as part of a weather system that made its way through the region.