Run off from melting of near record snow pack in the British Columbia mountains promoted record flooding on the Kettle River during the second and third weeks of May. Bottom lands and parks along the river were extensively inundated as well as yards and outbuildings. Many homes near the river suffered basement flooding and a few homes received first floor flooding.
Highway 21 near Danville, a major highway through this rural area, was closed due to the river flooding the road. Customs Road, running along the north side of the river was flooded in multiple locations, cutting off access to numerous residencies along the river.   Highway 395, another major thoroughfare along the river, was threatened with erosion and traffic was restricted in places. One bridge over the Kettle River suffered partial erosion of the abutment requiring extensive repairs.
The swollen river cut off access to to every home along the river between Curlew and Toroda through flooding of access roads and driveways. Emergency officials evacuated some stranded residents with boats.
In Stevens County the river eroded a steep sandy bank leading to an outbuilding being swept into the river on May 13th. The associated home was also threatened. This house was saved after heavy equipment physically moved the house farther from the bank.
The extent of the flooding prompted the Governor of Washington State to include Ferry County in a State of Emergency Declaration.

Flood in FERRY, WASHINGTON
From 05-MAY-18 06:00:00 to 20-MAY-18 01:30:00 (PST-8)
Location: TORODA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 3.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The USGS River Gage on the Kettle River near Ferry recorded a rise above the Flood Stage of 18.5 feet at 6:00 AM PST on May 5th. The river continued to rise and passed through the Moderate Flood Stage of 19.5 feet at 11:30 AM on May 7th, and through the Major Flood Stage of 20.5 feet at 6:00 PM PST on May 9th. The river crested at a new record flood level of 22.5 feet at 6:15 PM on May 10th. This level broke the previous record level of 21.2 feet set in 1948. The river then receded, passing down through the Major Flood Stage on May 11th, and below the Moderate Flood Stage on May 19th. The river finally receded below the Flood Stage at 1:30 AM PST on May 20th.

Flood in FERRY, WASHINGTON
From 09-MAY-18 00:00:00 to 15-MAY-18 00:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: CURLEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Highway 21 along the Kettle River near the intersection of Big Goosmus Road was closed due to flooding.

Flood in FERRY, WASHINGTON
From 09-MAY-18 00:00:00 to 24-MAY-18 00:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: ORIENT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood water flow undermined the western abutment of the Rockcut Road Bridge across the Kettle River near Orient. This erosion is considered critical by an inspecting engineering firm. The bridge remains open but with weight and speed restrictions.

Flood in STEVENS, WASHINGTON
From 09-MAY-18 00:00:00 to 24-MAY-18 00:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: ORIENT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood water flow undermined the western abutment of the Rockcut Road Bridge across the Kettle River near Orient. This erosion is considered critical by an inspecting engineering firm. The bridge remains open but with weight and speed restrictions.