Wild winter weather headed our way!
By JOSH MCDONALD
Staff Reporter
SHOSHONE COUNTY –– The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for all of North Idaho Panhandle including Shoshone County.
This warning will remain in effect from Friday morning through Friday evening.
People in the region should expect heavy snowfall with possible accumulations of 5 to 8 inches.
Fourth of July and Lookout Passes will see even more snowfall ranging from 10 to 20 inches, which could result in very difficult to impossible travel conditions.
With heavy forecasted snow coming this way, locals can never be too safe for themselves, their families, and other drivers.
Shoshone County emergency manager Dan Martinsen monitors incoming weather issues and potential emergency situations and he thinks that drivers should go back to basics when it comes to winter travel.
“When it comes to traveling on these dangerous roads it really is all about remembering what we were all taught about driving during the winter,” Martinsen said. “Take your time, keep that two-car-length space between you and other vehicles, add weight to your vehicles to help with traction, give yourself time to stop, those are all things that people can do that will make traveling a lot safer.”
Martinsen also believes in being prepared, so monitoring the weather, the road conditions, and any traffic updates can be helpful as well.
Keep an emergency winter driving kit in your car. The kit should include: jumper cables, flares, flashlights with extra batteries, a first aid kit with a pocket knife, at least one blanket, an extra set of mittens, socks and a wool cap, a small sack of sand or cat litter for generating traction under the wheels, a small shovel, bottled water, cell phone charger, canned fruit, nuts and a non-electric can opener.
Remember to check on your neighbors and to provide food and shelter for your pets as temperatures plummet into next week. If you need to travel, use caution. Call 511 to get information on the most recent road conditions.