A perfect storm
A Coeur d’Alene resident clears the sidewalk near his home on Garden Avenue after Monday’s snowfall. KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press
Despite the storm that blanketed North Idaho in snow on Monday, local law enforcement called the situation “manageable.”
Lt. Ryan Higgins with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said the Presidents Day holiday likely helped keep traffic incidents to a minimum. Fewer commuters on the road meant fewer crashes.
As of Monday morning, deputies had responded to just a few accidents, including a snow plow that went off the road and another slide-off.
“If you don’t have to drive, we recommend you stay where you are,” Higgins said. “The roads are pretty hazardous when these storms come through.”
If it’s necessary to travel during a snowstorm, Higgins advised drivers to wear warm clothes, make sure their cellphones are charged and keep some food and water in the vehicle.
“Make sure you’re prepared,” he said.
Between midnight and 2 p.m., Idaho State Police responded to four crashes — two on U.S. 95, one on Highway 53 and one on State Highway 200.
Troopers responded to five slide-offs.
Two snowplows with the Idaho Transportation Department had been struck as of Monday afternoon, according to ISP Sgt. Ron Sutton.
“Watch out for people trying to take care of the roads for us,” he said. “Give them enough space to work.”
Sutton reminded drivers to slow down and watch for tow trucks, plows and first responders.
“If we’re stopped with our lights on, we’re probably working on a crash,” he said. “Give us as wide a berth as possible.”
Many residents managed the snow on their own Monday. At Ace Hardware in Hayden, things were relatively quiet.
“It’s like the calm before the storm,” said manager Addie Lind.
Lind said a comparatively mild winter meant the store was well-stocked with shovels, ice melt and snow blowers as flurries continued on Monday — but she didn’t expect supplies to last long.
Customers tend to wait until the day after a major snowfall to buy those kinds of items, she said.
“Everybody just kind of hunkers down until the snow settles down,” she said.
Lind recommended folks purchase what they need sooner rather than later, as long as it’s safe to do so.
“Once we open, we get hit quickly,” she said.
Snow is expected to linger in the Idaho Panhandle, according to the National Weather Service.