'How high's the water, mama?'

By JOSH MCDONALD

Staff Reporter

WALLACE — Recent high temperatures and heavy precipitation in the local area have water levels in rivers, streams and lakes rising. As such, Shoshone County officials stress that residents should be on the lookout for potential flooding and flood risks.

Last year’s flood season saw the region take nearly $100,000 in damages to county maintained property, and that wasn’t counting any private damages taken by residents.

Shoshone County emergency manager Dan Martinsen said that the county is already watching the situation and suggests that people in affected areas be prepared — should the situation get out of hand.

“We are under a flood warning and we are keeping an eye on the side drainages,” Martinsen said. “However, I don’t want to say there’s nothing to worry about, but all the prediction models show that all flooding should crest by (should have crested May 8). We do expect to see water levels go up more, but they aren’t supposed to get to action level and then they should crest. Unless a debris dam shows up and blocks a culvert, I don’t think there’s much to worry about.”

Despite Martinsen’s lack of concern over any major flooding events, there are a few areas where minor flooding is expected and has already began.

“Calder and Cataldo will probably be the only areas in danger of minor flood danger,” Martinsen said. “We are definitely running high water, but like I said, everything should crest (May 8).”

The county yards in Smelterville and Osburn have sandbags available to residents and should an emergency situation arise, they will be open all night for people to come and get those sandbags.

For more information and links to other flood related information, see the Planning & Zoning department page at shoshonecounty.id.gov, or go directly to www.floodsmart.org or www.fema.gov.

For questions or concerns, contact Shoshone County emergency manager Dan Martinsen at 208-752-8891.