Debris Flow — Boundary, Idaho

2017-04-09 to 2017-04-13 · near Moravia, Boundary, Idaho

Event narrative

A debris flow on Myrtle Creek Road exposed two cases of vintage dynamite apparently buried and abandoned after road work in the 1970s. The dynamite was rendered safe and removed but the road remained closed due to unstable surface conditions through April 13th.

Wider weather episode

Saturated soil conditions across north Idaho caused by periodic heavy rain and melting snow during the month of March and into early April produced numerous debris flows and areas of small stream and field flooding. Travel in Boundary and Bonner Counties in particular was disrupted by numerous road closures due to debris flows and flooding undermining road beds during the first half of April. Many travel restrictions remained through the rest of the month with road crews unable to address the damage until soil conditions dried and stabilized.

In addition to two debris flows cutting highway 95, which is a main artery in Boundary County, at least eight secondary roads were washed out, undermined or otherwise damaged by flooding in the county.

In Bonner County at least seven secondary roads were closed in the county due to flood damage.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (48.7327, -116.5128)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 693501. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.