Staff writer
Commissioners, Gov. Otter declare state of emergency for Kootenai, other areas
COEUR d'ALENE -- Kootenai County commissioners declared a disaster emergency Thursday after winter storms blanketed the region with heavy wet snow.
Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Dalton Gardens, Harrison, Hauser, Rathdrum, Worley and Spirit Lake also declared disaster emergencies as part of a coordinated effort with the county to be able to secure manpower and equipment from the state if conditions turn for the worse.
"The resources are being taxed to the limit and this allows us to bring in outside help," Commission Chairman Rick Currie said. "We're doing this early on to expedite the process."
Gov. Butch Otter declared a disaster emergency for Bonner, Kootenai, Latah and Boundary counties late Wednesday.
The governor's disaster declaration paves the way for additional state government support to those counties. State support could include additional personnel, equipment and facilities to help the counties deal with threats to public safety and property.
"I applaud these counties' efforts to cope with this weather crisis," said Otter. "The state stands ready to provide support as needed."
The National Weather Service is forecasting 1 to 3 inches of snow this morning and more snow storms moving into the area on Saturday. Snow storms are possible for all of next week, according to the NWS Web site.
The commissioners urged residents to help each other, including checking on senior citizens.
Sandy Von Behren, director of the county's Office of Emergency Management, said the emergency declaration will allow the county to tap Idaho for help, whatever those needs might be.
"Worley is in need of snow removal," Von Behren said. "They need additional equipment and manpower. We're working on that as we speak."
As residents continued to dig out from 6-8 inches of snow that fell Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the weather let up for most of Thursday.
Warmer temperatures, in the mid-30s, helped melt snow. Many arterials were a wet, sloppy mess, causing minor problems for motorists.
Sheriff Rocky Watson said he had not received any reports of seniors trapped in homes or people in trouble.
"It's business as usual," Watson said. "We're in the emergency business."
Jon Ingalls, Coeur d'Alene's assistant city administrator, said the city is going to keep focusing on clearing streets and that the city offices will remain open.
"We're certainly not at a panic level," Ingalls said. "We have great, dedicated folks within the street department and the parks department is helping, too. Spirits are high."
Coeur d'Alene schools should be open today, barring an unseen weather event. Superintendent Harry Amend said he has been notified by Bryan Martin, district maintenance supervisor, that school roofs in the district have been thoroughly checked and they are in good shape.
"As far as the state of emergency goes, it might qualify us for some resources to help us address the challenges we're facing because of the snow but I don't know," Amend said.
While schools were closed for staff and students Thursday, maintenance crews spent the day clearing parking lots and walkways throughout the district.
Amend said the lots are ready for schools to open tomorrow.
"If we get the confirmation from our transportation director that the roads will be passable for the buses -- if we don't receive another weather event -- we're ready to go as of right now," Amend said.
As of Thursday night, Post Falls School District planned for school to be in session today, but the final determination will be made this morning, Superintendent Jerry Keane said. Parents and students should assume there is school unless they find out otherwise on TV or the district's Web site.
Thursday marked the third closure for schools this year, meaning that one day will have to be made up either at the end of the year or a previously planned closure such as a teacher work day. Keane said the number of closures is extremely out of the norm.
"In my first five years (as superintendent), we did not have one snow closure," he said
Post Falls canceled all of its youth recreation programs -- practices and games -- through Monday due to the weather conditions. Information: 773-0539.
Power outages across the region were limited. Avista had 13 customers in Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Rathdrum who were without power. The power company expected power to be restored by this morning.
Kootenai Electric Cooperative reported about 75 customers who were without power. Those customers live south of Coeur d'Alene on the west side of Lake Coeur d'Alene, spokeswoman Erika Neff said. She said those customers should have power restored soon.
Staff writers Maureen Dolan and Brian Walker contributed to this report.
Yes indeed wrote on Feb 1, 2008 9:33 PM: