March was a very wet month over the Idaho Panhandle. A series of moist Pacific storm systems brought periodic heavy rain to the region in addition to warmer temperatures which quickly melted low elevation snow pack. Bonners Ferry recorded 4.58 inches of precipitation for the month which was 2.92 inches above normal. Coeur D'Alene received 4.38 inches which was 2.04 inches above normal and The University of Idaho at Moscow recorded 7.19 inches which was 4.50 inches above normal.
All of this water quickly saturated the ground leading to numerous debris flows in steep terrain and widespread flooding in fields and low spots. Numerous roads were flooded or cut by debris flows through out the Idaho Panhandle during the second half of March.
The St. Joe River, the Cour D'Alene River and Palouse River as well as numerous smaller streams and lakes rose above Flood Stage during this event. Lake Coeur D' Alene and the Spokane River draining Lake Coeur d'Alene also crested above Flood Stage damaging numerous docks, parks and homes along the shore line and river.
Idaho State declared a State of Emergency for seven counties in North Idaho to assist recovery crews in obtaining resources to repair damage to area roads and other infrastructure. These counties were also included in a Presidential Disaster Declaration as a result of this very wet period.

Flood in SHOSHONE, IDAHO
From 15-MAR-17 05:00:00 to 31-MAR-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Location: STETSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 385.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snow melt and periodic heavy rain during the month of March caused numerous debris flows and areal flooding issues through out the county. Many road washouts and closures affected travel and cut off residents of some communities until emergency repairs could be made days later. Shoshone County was included in a Presidential Disaster Declaration as a result of the damage sustained during this episode.

Flood in BENEWAH, IDAHO
From 15-MAR-17 07:00:00 to 31-MAR-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Location: PLUMMER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snow melt and periodic heavy rain during the month of March produced numerous debris flows and areal flooding issues across Benewah County. Numerous roads were damaged by flooding. Most notably debris flows and rock slides closed the road between  Plummer and St. Maries, and flooding severely damaged State Highway 5 near Round Lake. Benewah County was included in an Idaho State State of Emergency Declaration as a result of this episode.

Flood in LATAH, IDAHO
From 15-MAR-17 07:00:00 to 31-MAR-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Location: KENNEDY FORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 800.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Periodic heavy rain and spring snow melt produced debris flows and widespread areal flooding across Latah County during the second half of March. Numerous roads were closed and the county was included in a Presidential Disaster Declaration as a result of the disruption and damage caused by this episode. Paradise Creek near Moscow flooded multiple times leading to damage on roads and parks as well as basement flooding of homes along and near the creek.

Debris Flow in BOUNDARY, IDAHO
From 15-MAR-17 09:00:00 to 31-MAR-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Location: MC ARTHUR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Periodic heavy rain and spring snow melt during the second half of March promoted numerous debris flows and landslides through out Boundary County. On March 15th  vibrations from a train caused a saturated ground landslide which undermined the tracks and caused 12 rail cars full of grain to derail and slide into a ravine near Moyie Springs. Debris flows cut numerous roads in the county during the next two weeks. Boundary County was included in a Presidential Disaster Declaration as a result of damage created by this episode.

Flood in BONNER, IDAHO
From 15-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 31-MAR-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Location: NORDMAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Periodic heavy rain and spring time snow melt created saturated soil conditions which promoted numerous debris flows and widespread areal flooding through out Bonner County from the middle to the end of March.  A train carrying 50 to 60 empty coal cars derailed near Kootenai after flooding undermined the tracks. A landslide knocked a home off it's foundation and carried it down a hillside near Sagle, with six more homes threatened. Numerous roads were closed due to flooding or cut by debris flows. Bonner County was included in a Presidential Disaster Declaration  issued as a result of the damage caused by this episode.

Debris Flow in KOOTENAI, IDAHO
From 15-MAR-17 07:00:00 to 31-MAR-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Location: SPIRIT LAKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 900.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snow melt and periodic heavy rain during the month of March caused numerous debris flows and areal flooding issues through out the county. A debris flow near Harrison forced the evacuation of a residential neighborhood with the land continuing to move through the beginning of April. Over 20 roads through out the county were washed out or cut by debris flows and numerous homes experienced basement and first floor flooding. Kootenai County was included in a Presidential Disaster Declaration as a result of the damage inflicted by this episode.