NIC Bonners Ferry deals with flooding

BONNERS FERRY - Melting snow added up to a tricky situation Thursday for staffers at the North Idaho College Bonners Ferry Center.

Officials canceled classes following a flooding of the building that left inches of water on the floor, according to center coordinator Christine Callison. The center will remain closed at least through the weekend and Monday while administrators assess conditions.

Callison said flood containment and water extraction was the last thing she expected to occupy her day when she went into work. The problem originated with a storm drain positioned near the building. Some time between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, that drain clogged, and stormwater began creeping into the structure from the rear corner.

"We had standing water all throughout the building," Callison said.

While water damage to the building proved fairly extensive, Callison also said it could have been much worse. Water levels measured in varying inches throughout the facility and was especially severe in one area where it managed to consolidate. Exposure to standing water overnight heavily damaged the flooring, which will likely need to be replaced, Callison said. Even so, she said there were plenty of silver linings. For one thing, most of the center's electronic equipment is kept on raised racks, which protected it from the water.

The timing was also fortuitous, Callison said. If the flooding had occurred Thursday night, the center would have remained closed Friday and it wouldn't have been discovered until Monday.

"We're really grateful we caught it today," Callison said.

With the center unsuited for schoolwork, NIC officials canceled all activities throughout the day. Callison instead spent her time coordinating with workers on water extraction. The cleanup crew will set up drying and dehumidifying equipment in the center during the next few days. Since people aren't supposed to be around while that equipment runs, classes cannot be held until the process is complete, Callison said.