Winter Storm Watch issued for Panhandle

Mother Nature is bringing winter weather to our area a bit earlier than normal.

The U.S. National Weather Service in Spokane reported Wednesday night that a Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Friday into Friday night.

"Moderate to heavy snow may impact travel beginning Friday a.m. in North Central WA, and then Friday p.m. in Spokane/Coeur d'Alene into the ID Panhandle including evening commute," it stated. "Heavy wet snow is also possible on the Palouse Friday night."

Shoshone County has already jumped the gun when it comes to snow in higher elevations. We've even already seen our first snow-related semi-truck crash of the season.

On Wednesday night, emergency personnel with Shoshone County Fire District No. 1 and the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office responded to a slide-out on eastbound Interstate 90 near milepost 73.

SCFD No. 1 Cpt. John Miller states that when crews arrived on scene around 6:40 p.m., they discovered a full-size semi-truck off the road and dangerously close to the edge of the cliff.

"The vehicle was very close," Miller said. "Within two feet of the mountain side down a steep embankment."

Despite the dangerously precarious position of the vehicle, the two male occupants of the semi-truck were found to be OK. Only the passenger, who was sleeping in the sleeper cab at the time of the incident, received minor lacerations to his hand and abrasions to his shoulder and abdomen area.

Cpt. Miller believes that the sudden heavy snow and slush were responsible for the incident.

"The snow conditions made it difficult to see and the environment was cold enough to accumulate on the roadway. It was very slick," he said.

This recent crash just goes to show that it may be time to start taking some winter driving precautions.

Shoshone County Emergency Manager Dan Martinsen, who monitors incoming weather issues and potential emergency situations, 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.

Being prepared also involves keeping an emergency winter driving kit in your car. The kit could include: 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, booster cables, canned fruit, nuts and a non-electric can opener.

On top of everything, Miller adds that it is important to wear your seatbelt and practice cautious driving.

"Those two gentlemen from Wednesday night were very beyond lucky," he said, "as their truck did not go down the embankment, which may have resulted in major injuries and a dangerous rescue."

The Idaho 511 travel information App is available for all phone users and is also available for viewing on the Idaho Transportation Department website. The app has constant updates on things like road conditions, speed changes, construction reports, accident reports, mountain passes, as well as providing drivers cameras to see what the actual roads look like.

For more information on winter driving safety or to view the online 511 Travel Information, visit itd.idaho.gov under the Travel tab.