The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, has a flood team on the ground in the St. Joe River basin and is developing plans for potential levee repairs in St. Maries.
The Corps is assessing damage to a levee on the St. Joe River in support of the City of St. Maries at their request and developing a response plan. The damaged sections protect the plywood mill and other city infrastructure.
The Corps has also supplied a pump to Kootenai County and distributed 5,000 sandbags to the City of Ellensburg and 5,000 to St. Maries.
“The Corps teams of emergency responders are familiar with the local conditions and are working to address the specific threats in the area,” said Doug Weber, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Emergency Management Branch Chief.
Flood team members will be in the area to provide assistance as requested and monitor conditions until the major flood threat has passed.
Public Law 84-99 enables the Corps to assist state and local authorities in flood fight activities and cost share in the repair of flood protection structures. The purpose is to prevent loss of life and minimize property damage associated with severe weather.
Private citizens seeking sandbags should contact their local government offices.
The National Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings and should be consulted for that information.
Release no. 17-011