Flooding predicted in Bayview

The Corps of Engineers forecast for Lake Pend Oreille at Bayview is expected to reach action stage (2062.6’) early Monday morning and expected to reach flood stage (2063.6’) on Wednesday due to warmer temperatures and more snow melt. Minor flooding of dock ramps, yards, and recreational sites around the lake can be expected. Some erosional damage from wave action is possible along the windward shores.

If the Corps 10 day forecast is accurate, Bayview may easily see lake levels reaching 2064.29’ as it did in the 2011 floods and possibly reach the 2015.74’ level, when Bayview experienced significant flooding in 1997. There’s a slight chance flooding will be worse than 1997. The 1997 flood nearly flooded the sewer lift station in Bayview, and threatened to raise boathouses above their mooring piers and had the potential to severe their water and sewer lines.

Those living in the Bayview flood prone areas need to get prepared for the possibility of flooding. If you have not registered for Alert! Kootenai, the County’s emergency notification system go to the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management homepage at http://oem.kcgov.us and register. Check to make sure your sump pump is working. Prepare for sandbagging around your home or business. Check your insurance policy and coverage to be sure you have sufficient coverage.

You can contact Timberlake Fire District at 208-683-3333 to acquire sandbags and instructions for sandbagging techniques for community flood fighting efforts. On Monday sand will be delivered to the parking lot that is just northeast of Bayview Fire Station No. 5 and east of the Bayview Community Center. The sand is being staged their for the Bayview community to access. Sandbagging techniques can also be viewed at http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Portals/27/docs/emergency/NWD_Sandbag_Pamphlet.pdf

Sandy Von Behren, Director of the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management says “her office will continue to monitor lake levels and weather forecasts, and asks residents in flood prone areas to keep informed by making sure they are registered for Alert! Kootenai and following them on Facebook and Twitter.”