Shoshone County flooding causes $255K in damage

KELLOGG - A preliminary assessment performed for Shoshone County found that Monday's flood conditions caused about $255,000 of public property damage, including roads and bridges.

"We expect more damage as we can get to some areas and look at it," said John Specht, Shoshone County emergency manager.

As of Wednesday morning, the Coeur d'Alene River receded to 43.1 feet at Cataldo, slightly above its 43-foot flood line.

Specht said water levels are otherwise dropping fairly rapidly up the Coeur d'Alene River.

The nearby Old River Road has been reopened and sustained little damage from Monday's flood. Emergency road repairs were made at Montgomery Gulch and Moon Gulch, and a culvert was repaired in Beaver Creek.

The only road that remained closed was the upper-end of Moon Gulch, where a large culvert washed out. Road crews were seeking a possible temporary solution until the culvert can be repaired.

Shoshone County Sheriff Mitch Alexander said most people returned to their homes following voluntary evacuations Monday.

Alexander said county workers and the Sheriff's Office were out Monday and Tuesday assisting people in response to resident's complaints that the county was not using equipment to save their private property.

The county is working with Jay Baker, North Idaho field officer for the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, to receive state assistance in the wake of Monday's flooding along the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers.

A state of emergency declared for Shoshone County remains in effect.