SEATTLE—Flood teams from the Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have initiated levee strengthening work in Riverside, Washington, and continue berm construction in Conconully, Washington, and levee strengthening work in Okanogan, Washington, and Plains, Montana, and have distributed 100,000 sandbags.
Seattle District’s Okanogan flood team is assisting Okanogan County with levee strengthening in the town of Riverside and berm construction to reduce the risk of flooding in Conconully and to strengthen a scoured portion of the Elmway levee on the Okanogan River near the town of Okanogan. A second team continues support to the City of Plains and Sanders County, strengthening two areas at risk of scour on the 1948 levee at Plains. Teams are providing technical assistance to Missoula County, Montana, St. Maries, Idaho, and Yakima County, Washington, and the Kalispel Tribe.
The Seattle District has provided 100,000 sandbags to Okanogan County, Tonasket, Missoula and the Colville Confederated Tribes. An additional 180,000 sandbags are on the road today with 90,000 headed to Missoula.
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 10 at 5:30 p.m. with Bonner County at the Selkirk Fire Department, 2689 Gun Club Road, in Sagle, Idaho.
Members of the public, elected officials, and stakeholders with an interest in Albeni Falls Dam and the Pend Oreille River are encouraged to attend a public meeting in Cusick May 11. Representatives from the Army Corps and National Weather Service will discuss water supply forecasts, Albeni Falls Dam operations, and flood risk for this spring and summer in the Pend Oreille River.
Public Information Meeting Details:
Friday, May 11, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Cusick High School Gym, 305 Monumental Way, Cusick, WA 99119
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.
Public Law 84-99 authorizes USACE to provide flood fight assistance at the request of local officials when rivers are at or above flood stage and local resources are fully used.
Private citizens seeking sandbags should contact their local government offices.
USACE coordinates closely with the National Weather Service. The Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings and should be consulted for that information.