Winter storm wallops community

SANDPOINT — Make those snowmen while you can, because Bonner County is projected to get a whole lot wetter in the coming days.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are predicted to rise this week, leading to melt-off from the recent snowstorms. When combined with incoming rain, the runoff could result in possible lowland agricultural and minor urban flooding, forecasters said.  

“The arctic air is essentially being forced out by a warmer, wetter air mass,” said meteorologist Greg Koch.

Based on NWS projections, road conditions Monday night and early Tuesday morning have the potential to be icy and slick following heavy Sunday and Monday snowfall.

In addition, Idaho State Police cautioned travelers Monday that Lookout Pass on I-90 between the Idaho-Montana stateline and St. Regis, Mont., was closed due to avalanche danger and encouraged travelers to find another route into the state for the short-term.

Icy roads should be less of an issue as temperatures rise into the 40s by Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with low points above freezing. However, drivers should still watch out for adverse road conditions, Koch said.

“The main consideration at that point is the build-up of that greasy, slushy stuff that’s really hard to drive through,” he said.

Of course, melting snow and rains will also bring its share of excess water. That’s no surprise to Bruce Robertson of the Sandpoint Public Works Department. He said Sandpoint experiences issues with standing water every year as snows gradually begin to melt away. Despite the recent heavy snowfall and incoming rains, he doesn’t anticipate conditions will be any worse than usual.  

The principle problem that arises during early spring is that while the air is warm enough to melt snow, the ground hasn’t sufficiently thawed to absorb the water. In addition, storm drains within town are frequently blocked, exacerbating the problem.

According to Robertson, residents can help address the issue by keeping an eye on nearby drains, making sure stormwater has a clear path to follow and that the vents themselves aren’t blocked by snow, ice or debris. The Sandpoint Public Works Department doesn’t have the manpower to check up on every single storm drain throughout town, but a little civic action could help prevent problems before they begin, he said.

“If any residents are willing to ‘adopt a storm drain,’ it would sure help us out,” he added.

However, if serious problems with water or flooding do arise, particularly in situations that could cause property damage, Robertson encourages residents to give the department a call at 263-3407 or — in the case of after-hours emergencies — 866-482-4804.