Flood advisory issued for county
<p>Motorists plow through a large puddle that formed on the west side of North Fifth Avenue on Wednesday. More rain is expected today. (Photo by KEITH KINNAIRD)</p>
SANDPOINT — Bonner and five other Panhandle counties are under a flood advisory until Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Spokane.
The weather service said several rounds of moderate to heavy rain are expected to fall through Friday. Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry and Kellogg could receive more than an inch of total rainfall.
The combination of rain and melting snow will produce excessive runoff over much of northern Idaho and northeastern Washington. The ground remains frozen in some areas, causing runoff to pool in fields or swell small streams.
Minor flooding of urban areas with poor drainage could occur, according to the weather service.
Bob Howard, director of Emergency Management for Bonner County, said a couple of landowners have reported flooded basements due to the heavy rainfall and frozen ground.
“We’ve had some inquiries for sandbags,” said Howard.
Howard had not received any reports of creeks overflowing their banks, although an ice-jammed culvert caused water to sheet over a road in the Blanchard area.
Flooding was also reported along Highway 41 south of Oldtown.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort reported on Wednesday that it had snowed hard in the morning, but it turned to rain as the day progressed. However, the ski patrol was reporting 8 inches of new snow at the top of the mountain.
The resort could see 3-5 inches of new snow today unless warm temperatures descend on the mountain.