Governor declares flood emergency |
| May 27, 2011 |
|
Idaho Governor Butch Otter has declared a
Statewide Declaration of Emergency because of
statewide flooding and the potential for record
runoff. The declaration, approved today, brings the availability of state resources and rapid response to support impacted areas. As of 11 a.m. Friday Bingham and Jefferson counties are the only counties listed under the State Declaration. If conditions warrant additional counties may be added. The statewide declaration is a proactive step to reduce response times and to allow the state to support local jurisdictions in preparations that will help prevent damages from the expected record flows. Areas that have flooded or are approaching flood stage in North Idaho include St. Maries, Cataldo, Bonners Ferry, Rose Lake, Pend Oreille River, Lake Pend Oreille and Lake Coeur d’Alene. Flood prone conditions include heavy accumulations of snowpack and historically high snow water equivalent measurements. Early forecasts indicate that this will be one of the top five years on record. Snake River Basin water volumes are forecasted to be similar to 1997. Emergency managers are concerned that extreme runoff flows and subsequent rapid flooding could damage property and infrastructure. The declaration signed today enables the state to support implementation of local mitigation measures to prevent damage from the anticipated severe flooding. The Bureau of Homeland Security has coordinated the distribution of sandbags and pumps throughout the state to help support local jurisdictions in their preparation efforts. |