Flooding in Idaho, February 4 to 28, 2017

Sheet flooding from extensive snowmelt from excessive winter snow began early in the month and continued through the month. Several homes received extensive flooding damage mainly in the Shelley area. The depth of water in the sheet flooding reached as high as two feet in some areas. The worst of the flooding was from the 7th through the 15th. Ferry Butte and Riverton Roads had to be closed. In the Shelley area also the roadway on 1200 N between 1150 E and 1200 E and from 1200 E to 1150 N also had to be closed. Further flooding occurred after the 20th with several road closures in Aberdeen, Blackfoot, Shelley and Springfield. A County disaster declaration was declared for the county as well.

Extensive snowmelt occurred at low elevations as a warmup took place for a good portion of the first 2 to 3 weeks of the month. Extensive sheet flooding of fields occurred as well as extensive minor flooding of roadways and extreme damage of roadways due to the extreme snowfall and cold temperatures in December and January.

A warmup in early February caused extensive sheet flooding throughout Caribou County. The main issues were extensive flooded back roads, extensive field flooding. Lots of agricultural land was affected with extensive property and road damage. Many of the road closures occurred in the Grace area with the worst flooding from the 8th through the 14th. Several houses to the south of Grace flooded and more road flooding occurred after the 19th. Caribou County did declare a county disaster.

A warmup in temperatures caused extensive snow melt to lower elevations of Cassia County with devastating flooding throughout the rural county. Flooding began in earnest on the 5th. Interstate 86 was closed for a 36 mile stretch in the county with flooding over the Raft River bridges. A foot and a half of water was over the interstate and it was closed from the 6th until the 9th. The interstate began to flood on the 5th. Cassia County was declared a state disaster area. Dozens of homes were severely damaged by flood waters. Many private wells and septic systems flooded contaminating many homes. Several back roads had to be closed and many suffered tremendous damage.

A warmup very early in the month caused massive sheet flooding as the snow melt from extreme December and January snows began rapidly early in the month. Nearly all roads experienced major flooding with as much as 4 feet of water on some roadways. The county did not have enough signs to indicate all the road closures. By the 14th of the month the only main roadways north of Meridian Road that were open were 400 West Road and 600 West Road. Highway 24 from Rupert to Acequia was closed by the 12th. Many roads were lost due to the damage. A large number of homes received massive flooding damage. Rural home damage to wells and septic systems occurred contaminating water. The state declared Minidoka County a disaster with some of the most significant flood damage in the state occurring there. The city of Paul's main pump station became completely submerged under water. The month's damage in dollar amounts exceeded 6 million dollars. Over 50,000 sandbags were ordered.

The combination of heavy snow with warming temperatures caused extensive sheet flooding in the extreme southern part of the county with and much road damage in northern parts of the county. The weight of the snow with the warming conditions caused many roof collapses throughout the county as well.

An extensive warmup combined with record snows in December and January caused minor flooding and roof collapses as the weight of heavy snow mixed with rain caused multiple rood collapses. The Geneva School roof collapsed.

A major warmup beginning early in the month created extensive snow melt from record winter snows and massive sheet flooding. Many homes received extensive damage but the main problem in the county was extensive road damage. Many roads and bridges washed out and had to be closed. Many culverts also washed out and 28 were determined to be in need of major repair. Flooding to wells and septic systems in personal homes caused contamination of water in many cases. The state of Idaho declared Franklin County a disaster area.

A lot of field flooding occurred in the county as well as a house on Andrew Street in Pocatello on the 8th. Wallin Road closed on the 10th in Chubbuck due to water on the road. The Marsh Creek area had flooding as well. The Portneuf River in Pocatello reached flood stage on the 11th with flooding in Sacajawea Park. The warmup also revealed extreme damage to roads from the harsh winter as well.

Extensive snow melt with warmer temperatures caused extensive sheet flooding throughout the county mainly resulting in flooded fields, damaged roadways and extensive basement flooding.

A warmup in February caused extensive sheet flooding throughout Power County damaging roads and closing many of them in the 8th through 12th time period. Teh Interstate 86 exit 44 for Seagull Bay was closed due to water on the roadway along with several county roads as well.

A significant warmup caused massive sheet flooding in Lincoln County beginning early in the month and continuing through the end. Significant damage occurred to private homes and especially roadways. The state declared Lincoln county a disaster area. Many roads were closed by the 11th with water over roadways from east of Shoshone to the Minidoka County line. The town of Kimana had significant flooding as well. Some of the road closures were 200 East Highway 24, 270 South between 650-750 East, 330S between 750 and 850, 70 South, 600 North and 1200 North.

Significant warmup in February caused extensive sheet flooding mainly over fields but also some flooding on back roads causing extensive damage. A lot of the roadway damage was due to a very cold and snowy winter as well.

Some minor flooding and road damage occurred from a combination of snow melt with the extensive warmup during the month.

The combination of record or near record snows in December and January with a warmup in February caused sheet flooding and some ice jam flooding as well. An ice jam on the Lost River near Darlington caused flooding to some homes on that river. Extensive road damage occurred throughout the county with the snow and snow melt combinations. And the warmup aided in weight on roofs and collapses in many cases throughout Custer County. The county declared a county disaster due to the damages.

A February warmup caused mainly road damage to Fremont County with some minor flooding.

A significant warmup in February caused massive sheet flooding from snowfall accumulation from December and January. Extensive damage occurred to homes and especially road damage. The state declared Jefferson County a disaster area due to the magnitude of the damage. Road flooding occurred near Roberts on the 11th and 12th, but extreme flooding commenced after the 19th mainly west of Interstate 15. 600 North was closed from 2450 East to 2300 East. 400 North was closed from 2400 East to 1800 East. 2300 East was closed from County Line to 400 North. 2100 East was closed from County Line to 400 North. 2600 East was closed from 200 North to 400 North and 1800 East was closed from 400 North to 1200 North. Water on some roads reached levels that caused automobiles to float. Road crews described some roads similar to waterfalls.

Some minor sheet flooding occurred at low elevations along with some road damage aided in part by the cold and snowy winter after the warmup in February.

The combination of very cold temperatures and extensive snowfall in December and January with a rapid warmup in February caused sheet flooding and some road damage throughout the county. The property damage in Madison County was very limited compared to other counties in the region.