Flood — Western Lemhi County, Idaho

1996-02-08 to 1996-02-20 · Western Lemhi County, Idaho

Wider weather episode

Major flooding took place the second week of February in Northern Idaho. Conditions that developed in late January contributed significantly to the flood. Large amounts of low elevation snow fell during the third week of January, especially in Northern Idaho where valley locations reported 10 additional inches of snow with as much as 2 1/2 feet on the ground. During the last week in January temperatures dropped into the single digits for highs and 20 to 30 degrees below zero for lows, this resulted in ice buildup along many of the rivers.During the first week of Februray temperatures drastically warmed, but lows remained below freezing so snowmelt began slowly. Heavy rains also began on February 6th through Februray 10th. Five-day totals ranged from 8.00 inches at Pritchard to 6.14 inches at Mullan to 4.00 inches at other locations. The warm temperatures and heavy rain accelerated low elevation snowmelt and the conditions combined resulted in serious flooding. The ice jams caused serious falls and rises along the rivers as well.Severe flooding took place along many small streams in Idaho, Clearwater, Shoshone, Nez Perce, Lewis, Latah, and Benewah counties. The worst flooding occured in the clearwater basin around the town of Orofino. The creeks affected included the Orofino Creek, the Potlach Creek, and Lapwai Creek. The Palouse River and its tributaries caused major damage.The St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene rivers along with their tributaries caused major damage in Shoshone, Benewah, and Kootenai counties. Major ice jams along the Coeur d'Alene river at Enaville and Cataldo caused serious rises resulting in the evacuations of the towns of Enaville and Cataldo. Flood stage at Enaville is 72.0 feet and peaked at 76.95 feet. The flood stage at Cataldo is 43.0 feet and peaked at 51.62 feet. Many roads and bridges sustained serious damage. Pinehurst, Enaville, and Cataldo sustained major damage. In Kootenai and Shoshone counties, an estimated 4000 people were stranded. The town of St. Maries and other towns upstream on the St. Joe River also sustained serious damage due to flooding. The levee areas of Meadowhurst and Riverdale failed. In the town of St. Maries, 117 homes and 19 businesses had water up to the roofs. 30 other businesses and homes were flooded with four feet of water. 350 people were left homeless in Benewah county due to flooding. The St. Joe crested at 42.0 feet creating a record at the St. Joe at St. Maries gage. This event is close to the flood of record on the St. Joe River. The latest damage reports include the following. Benewah county, St. Joe river sustained $20 million with 179 houses lost and 400 people evacuated. Kootenai and Shoshone counties, Couer d'Alene river, sustained $24 million with 167 homes lost and 2000 residents displaced. So far these are the only totals available. It is estimated that the other counties involved sustained damage in the tens of millions as well.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5537679. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.