SEATTLE—Flood teams from the Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, continue levee strengthening work in Okanogan County Washington and Sanders County Montana and have distributed 65,000 sandbags.
One team is assisting Okanogan County to reduce the risk of scour on the Elmway levee on the Okanogan River near the town of Okanogan. The temporary work is estimated to conclude May 14. A second team is assisting the City of Plains and Sanders County, Montana, with implementing emergency protective measures to reduce the risk of scour on the 1948 levee at Plains. Work is estimated to conclude May 14. The second team is also providing technical assistance in Missoula at the request of Missoula County, Montana.
The Seattle District has provided 20,000 sandbags to Okanogan County, 5,000 to Tonasket, 25,000 sandbags to Missoula and 15,000 sandbags to the Colville Confederated Tribes. An additional 75,000 sandbags will be delivered to Missoula County by tomorrow.
Warm temperatures combined with above normal snow levels have created a situation where Pend Oreille River flows downstream of Albeni Falls Dam are likely to exceed flood stage this week.
USACE emergency management officials are providing sandbag training for local responders May 9 at 3 p.m. with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians at the Kalispel Tribal boat launch in Pend Oreille County, Washington; and May 10 at 5:30 p.m. with Bonner County at the Selkirk Fire Department, 2689 Gun Club Road, in Sagle, Idaho.
Flood fight teams are coordinating with the States of Washington, Idaho and Montana. Agency representatives will continue to coordinate with the counties and cities along the rivers, and the Colville Confederated Tribes.
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.