Winter storms back into North Idaho
Sandpoint postal worker Jeremy Gedrose walks his route amid a heavy snowstorm all day on Wednesday. “Days like today there is not much you can do,” said Gedrose, no stranger to snow during his 18 years as a postal carrier in Sandpoint. “The thing I tell people is keep your path clean, that helps immensely.” (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)
SANDPOINT — Bonner County absorbed another icy punch from Old Man Winter on Wednesday, and the blow was too much for some North Idaho infrastructure.
Idaho officials responded to the harsh conditions by closing down Department of Health and Wellness field offices in Sandpoint and Moscow. The Idaho Transportation Department also closed down sections of U.S. 20, Idaho 3, Idaho 21, Idaho 32, Idaho 46, Idaho 47, Idaho 75 and U.S. 95 with no estimate on when the roads would reopen.
The snow-laced winds, poor visibility and slick roads swamped the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments and towing companies. According to Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler, authorities have been on the road all day responding to calls. In total, they answered 11 slide-offs and 16 non-injury accidents throughout Wednesday. Fortunately, no one reported any injuries.
“We’ve responded to a couple of roll-overs, but everyone was wearing their seat belt and walked away,” Wheeler said. “No one has been hospitalized.”
Wheeler recommends a quiet night indoors until the bad weather blows over.
“If you don’t absolutely have to be on the roads, my recommendation is to just stay home,” he said.
The workload extended beyond emergency services. Francie Martin at Clyde’s Towing said the business had received 12 AAA calls alone throughout the day and that her tow-truck drivers never had a spare moment.
“I bet you that all in all, we’ll have had 30 or 40 calls today,” she said. “There have been a few accidents but it’s mostly been slide-offs — people being careless and driving too fast.”
IDT released several safety tips to promote smart driving during the storm. Officials recommend that motorists allow themselves plenty of time to reach destinations and watch for slick roads, especially on bridges or shady areas. Drivers should keep two car-lengths behind snowplows and never try to pass them. Finally, vehicles should be well-maintained and stocked with emergency supplies like flashlights, first aid kits, tools, food and water.