Extreme Weather in Northern Idaho: January 2008

Extreme weather conditions cover the northwest with some of the worst local condition near or in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Located only a few short hours from the Canadian border, this scenic town is a summer vacation for people around the world. It is an outdoor paradise during the summer, but today, it is a cold land with condition-red roads.

Already covered with snow from previous storms in the last week the area is now fighting to keep businesses open, roads clear and citizens safe. Driving is limited to only the few that must show up for work or have an emergency. All others are being asked by the media to stay home and off the roads.

On Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, Coeur d'Alene was hit by the second wave of a winter storm. It fell from the sky in a beautiful display of large flakes for over thirty hours. Snow piled high in the streets and on roof tops. Several business such as Coeur d'Alene Radiator was shut down because of a collapsed roof and as the day went on other businesses began to show signs of wear. One coffee shop and other small flat roofed businesses had roof fall in or shut down due to the same danger.

On Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, the area got it's first break giving businesses time to try to clear roofs of snow from depths of two to three feet. Some home owner feared for their own homes and could be seen walking on their own roofs with shovels removing as much of the layers as possible to lighten the weight. In Spirit Lake one resident reported four feet of snow on her roof. They worked fast because another storm was approaching.

Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, the snow began to fall during the night and didn't stop. By early morning drivers were trying to get to work in a condition red situation. Snow on the main roads was up to one foot deep in places the snow plows had not yet gotten. Drivers were sliding off the road from ice or from the ridges left from the previous storm. The ridges are dangerous because they will pull the car to one side and possibly cause the car to slide off the road or into other traffic.

Schools and Universities throughout the area were closed. Closure of this type for heavy snow has not happened since the storm of November 1992. Power is out to more than 1,500 homes throughout the northern Idaho area. This is going to be one of the worst storms in the last fifty years. Local resident baby boomers remember storms from their childhood being severe, but none like this. This is going to be a record setting season as we face the future and our ever present global warming theory.

But Idaho residents are tough. Neighbors help neighbors and they also help strangers. Tow trucks are almost impossible to reach because of other calls and you may have to wait three to five hours for the next service. It is good to always have a blanket and snacks with you when driving in such conditions. If you are going to drive then drive slowly! It won't matter if you have a regular car with snow tires or a 4x4 truck when it comes to ice. Both will slide without warning.

Many area roads are closed to through traffic due to blowing and drifting snows blocking views. Avalanches have closed several roads in the mountains and danger is high. Do not venture into the mountains for winter entertainment. There are a lot of snow borders and others getting lost. When this happens it puts rescue crews in danger of losing their own lives trying to find them.

Snow melt and snow blowers are sold out all over the area. They are almost impossible to get and for some stores that were able to order more their merchandise is stuck on the other side of the mountain pass because of road closures. Snow shovels are available in a few places, but it is heavy work. Most people are running low on available funds to hire the work that needs to be done so they are left doing it themselves.

If you are going to hire someone to clear your driveway with a plow the cost runs from $30 to $50. But once the city snow plow clears the street in front of your home you will have to take a shovel and move a one to three foot ridge of heavy snow to back out your car. For snow removal from your homes roof the cost runs from $300 up to $750 or higher depending on the footage and danger. The average price is $50 an hour so be ready to pay or do it yourself.

The city is under severe storm advisory until after midnight with a one day break and more storms to follow. Most homes are buried under five to six feet of snow with icicles an average of two feet to five feet long. Rain is expected with the next storm to be mixed with the coming snow so it will make a much heavier pack. When this happens the danger increases because of weight.

Only time will tell when this storm system ends and spring finally arrives. The snow will eventually melt and the sun will come out for long days in the north. But until then power bills are very high, driving danger is always at the next corner and paychecks are affected. If you are dealing with a winter snow storm do the best you can to stay off the roads or drive slowly. Keep it safe for yourself and everyone around you even if they aren't driving safely.