Clearwater County -

*A sampling of flood pictures from the afternoon of 1-31-03 can be seen on this page.

2-3-03 11 a.m.

Water was rising Friday afternoon behind Orofino City Hall Flooding and slides in Clearwater County have stabilized and cooler weather will further help the conditions. Officials continue to monitor the situation and are prepared to respond as necessary.

Residents should continue to be watchful on roadways and around creeks and streams. Watch out for rocks, water across roadways and slides. Those who experience flooding or slide problems should contact 476-4815.

Updated reports will also be posted as needed on the county's web site under Emergency Management. The web address is: www.clearwatercounty.org.

2-1-03 7 p.m.

Clearwater County has experienced flooding and landslides over the last two days. It appears that Some homes above Noah`s Bridge had flood waters at their back doors the major part of the event has passed and unless weather changes conditions should improve. County officials are monitoring the situation and are ready to address further needs as they occur.

The forecast from National Weather Service in Missoula only calls for scattered showers in the Clearwater Region. Gauges at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery recorded one inch of rain in Orofino between Friday morning and Saturday morning. Statistics from Pierce showed 2.03 inches during the same period. Headquarters had 1.51 inches.

Orofino Creek through Orofino crested at about 6 a.m. Saturday and the sandbags that were placed there Friday and early Saturday morning are holding. The creek is receding at this point. Officials from both City of Orofino and Riverside Water and Sewer District report that their systems are handling the increased water.

Harmony Heights Loop at mile marker 3 was closed for a few hours today to repair a slide. Cedar Creek Rd. near Cavendish is now passable. Whiskey Creek Loop still has water over the road. The bridge at mile marker 3 on Lower Fords Creek Rd. has had some rip rap washing out.

Ground saturation and continuing rain caused small streams to fill Pierce water and sewer are still experiencing some problems with overflow. Conditions do seem to be stable at this point.

Weippe experienced some major flooding of roadways today and crews were dispatched to do sandbagging and cleaning culverts and ditches. Conditions have stabilized for the time being.

The following roads in the Clearwater Highway District are closed: Mill, 4 Mile, Wilson, Larson, S. Larson, Hjalmar Johnson, Fraser Cemetery and Cottonwood. Other roads in the district have problems with washouts and water over the roadway, particularly: Stuart Rd., Diebel Rd. and Lower Fords Creek Rd.

Elk River conditions are stable. The Elk Creek reservoir is at capacity and Elk Creek is at full bank. Additional rain could cause some flooding in that area. Water is across the road on the way to Aquarius and part of the road is washed out, though it is passable. The bridge at Four Mile on Dent Rd. has water running at frame. Elk River Loop Rd. has also had a wash out and is down to one lane.

Officials are monitoring the flows in Clearwater River which is running above seasonal normal. It is running several feet below flood stage, so is not a major concern at this point.

Residents should be watchful on roadways and around creeks and streams, especially if precipitation continues. Watch out for rocks, water across roadways and slides.
Those who experience flooding or slide problems should contact 476-4815.

Updated reports during this incident will also be posted on the county's web site under Emergency Management. The web address is: www.clearwatercounty.org.

1-31-03 4 p.m.

Clearwater County has experienced some minor flooding today and county officials are closely Orofino Creek was rising Friday afternoon as this picture was taken. monitoring the situation as well as weather forecasts from the National Weather Service in Missoula, MT.

According to reports from Pierce city officials, their fresh water reservoir and sewage treatment ponds are overflowing. The gates on the fresh water reservoir have been opened to relieve the pressure. These conditions will increase flows into Orofino Creek.

Orofino Creek is running bank-full in the lower 4.5 miles from Bruce's Dairy to the confluence with the Clearwater River. There has been some sandbagging to protect property. Some residents have chosen to move to higher ground. No evacuations have been advised at this point.

Two roads near Weippe, Chapman and Browns Creek, have been closed. There is water over the road in a number of places in the Clearwater Highway District including: Hjalmer Johnson Rd., Mill Rd., Cottonwood Rd., Diebel Rd. and Wilson Rd. Clearwater County Highway Department reports Water was nearly to the bottom of the bridge in the afternoon and the creek rose even higher. that roads in general are passable, except Cedar Creek near Cavendish which is closed and Whiskey Creek Loop has water across the roadway. Those who are traveling should watch out for rocks, water across roadways and slides.

Residents should be watchful on roadways and around creeks and streams, especially if precipitation continues. Those who experience flooding or slide problems should contact 476-4815.

Updated reports during this incident will also be posted on the county's web site under Emergency Management. The web address is: www.clearwatercounty.org.

1-31-03 11 a.m.

With the weather over the last few days, water is rising in various creeks, streams and drainage systems around Clearwater County. Many are at full bank with the potential of flooding. There is water over roads in several areas.

Citizens need to be aware of the situation. Those who experience flooding or slide problems should call 476-4815 or 476-7262. Watch for more complete information on the situation later in the day.