An unseasonably warm and wet period resulted in small stream and main stem river flooding.  The Inland Northwest remained in the warm sector of a flat ridge with warm air advection into the region.  The warm air scoured out the cold air in place, resulting in sharp rises to snow levels across the Idaho Panhandle.  Record November snowfall followed by above average December snowfall set the stage for a healthy low to mid elevation snowpack for much of the central and northern Idaho Panhandle.  In these areas, snow levels rose sharply during this period as a series of wet weather systems produced heavy rainfall at times at mid and low elevations.  Heavy rain, combined with the melting snow pack, resulted in small streams, as well as, main stem rivers running above flood stage in these areas.

Flood in SHOSHONE, IDAHO
From 16-JAN-11 23:00:00 to 20-JAN-11 05:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: KINGSTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding was reported on the Coeur D'Alene River along Coeur D'Alene River Road into Enaville and downstream to the border of Kootenai County near Cataldo.  Coeur D'Alene River Road was closed between mile post 2 and 19 due to flooding of three to four feet of water over portions of the roadway.  Other reports of flooding occurred at the north end of Montgomery Gulch and Moon Gulch.  Moon Gulch road was washed out crossing Beaver Creek trapping an individual on his property, multiple motor vehicles and homes flooded, and landslides were also reported.  The Coeur D'Alene River at Cataldo went above its flood stage of 43 feet at 2330PST on the 16th; crested at 45.94 feet at 2345PST on the 17th; and then went back below flood stage at 415PST on the 19th.

Flood in KOOTENAI, IDAHO
From 16-JAN-11 23:00:00 to 20-JAN-11 05:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: CATALDO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Moderate flooding occurred along the Coeur D'Alene River in Cataldo resulting in road closers of CCC Road and Latour Road.  The flooding in Cataldo was the western most extent of moderate flooding along the Coeur D'Alene River.  More extensive damage was felt upstream in Shoshone County.  Minor flooding continued further downstream from Cataldo to Harrison along the Coeur D'Alene River.  High water levels and strong currents on the Coeur D'Alene River caused a float home and two boat houses to break free from the Harrison Dock Builders (HDB) Marine in Harrison and drift down river into Coeur D'Alene Lake.  The Coeur D'Alene River at Cataldo went above its flood stage of 43 feet at 2330PST on the 16th; crested at 45.94 feet at 2345PST on the 17th; and then went back below flood stage at 415PST on the 19th.

Flood in SHOSHONE, IDAHO
From 17-JAN-11 10:00:00 to 17-JAN-11 20:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: STETSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding was reported along the St. Joe River from Avery to Calder.  Avery Creek rose above its banks and flooded parts of the old Forest Service building and nearby residences in the town of Avery.  The old highway from Marble Creek to Avery was washed out as well.  Mudslides and high water wiped out sections of Calder Road and Trout Creek Road near Calder.  More flooding was reported along the St. Joe River downstream of Calder into Benewah County.  On the 17th, the St. Joe River at Calder went above its flood stage of 13 feet at 1045PST; crested at 13.18 feet at 1445PST; and then went back below flood stage at 2000PST.

Flood in LATAH, IDAHO
From 16-JAN-11 18:00:00 to 18-JAN-11 06:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: KENNEDY FORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Described as a moderate flood event with multiple roads inundated with water where roads crossed streams and creeks in the area.  Flooding reported on roadways with road closures in Potlatch along the Palouse River and in Paradise Creek, and on Highway 95 near Flannigan Creek; in Moscow along Paradise Creek; and on Highway 8 at milepost 21 between Troy and Deary.  The Palouse River at Potlach went above its flood stage of 15 feet at 1630PST on the 16th; crested at 16.5 feet at 530PST on the 17th; and then went back below flood stage at 615PST on the 18th.  No damage was reported.

Flood in BENEWAH, IDAHO
From 17-JAN-11 06:00:00 to 20-JAN-11 05:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: FERRELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Significant flooding reported along the St. Joe River Road from St. Maries to Avery in Shoshone County as the St. Joe River spilled over its banks.  The road to St. Joe City was completely under water and flooding reported five miles up St. Maries River Road at Kittle Loop.  The St. Joe River at St. Maries went above its flood stage of 32.5 feet at 1023PST on the 17th; crested at 35.97 feet at 905PST on the 18th; and then went back below flood stage at 500PST on the 20th.