Debris Flow — Kootenai, Idaho

2018-03-08 · near Rose Lake, Kootenai, Idaho

Event narrative

Idaho State Police reported that a rock slide closed both westbound lanes of Interstate 90 near 4th of July Pass.

Wider weather episode

The spring-time freeze and thaw cycle along with melting snow saturating the ground created a debris flow made mostly of rocks from a cliff along Interstate 90 east of Coeur D'Alene near 4th of July Pass on the morning of March 8th. The slide blocked both westbound lanes but one lane was opened up by afternoon. Traffic was reduced to one lane for the next 24 hours while clean up occurred. No automobiles were damaged.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (47.5876, -116.4714)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 744300. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.