Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Public Works reopens roadways
DAVENPORT — A combination of heavy rain, melting snow, and frozen ground created what officials are calling the “perfect storm” for widespread flooding, mudslides, and road closures throughout the county.
Several roads were deemed impassable over the weekend due to high water levels and erosion.
Hawk Creek Ranch Road and Mill Canyon Road were among the most severely impacted, with Hawk Creek rising to eight feet deep in some areas.
Other closures included Circle Road, Gaffney Road, Cupers Road, and Sage Hen Draw Road.
“We had several road closures where the road was washed out and not passable,” said Dave Sanford, operations manager for Lincoln County Public Works. “As of Tuesday, February 25, all of those roads are passable. They aren’t perfect, but they’re open.”
According to Sanford, the flooding was caused by a mix of factors, including a moderate amount of snow melting rapidly due to warm temperatures and rain, combined with frozen ground that prevented water from absorbing.
“It used to happen a lot more, but we don’t have as much snow anymore,” he said. “The roads are just completely saturated.”
While no accidents were reported in connection with the flooding, road conditions remain a concern.
Many roads will require gravel and grading once conditions dry out. Road crews have already begun work in the southern part of the county and will move north as conditions allow.
The county has 2,000 miles of roadway, including both pavement and gravel, that must be monitored for damage.
Officials estimate it will take about 30 days before road conditions return to normal. Countywide road restrictions are in place, preventing heavy-weight vehicles from traveling on certain roads without a permit.
The National Weather Service reported that Lincoln County received 0.82 inches of rain between Saturday and Monday.
In December, the county saw between 2 and 3.5 inches of rain, followed by 0.5 to 1.5 inches in January and 1 to 2 inches in February as of Tuesday.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the upper 40s to low 50s into mid-March, with some potential for light snow later in the month.
Residents who encounter impassable roads are urged to report them to Lincoln County Public Works at (509) 725-7041.
Olivia Harnack is the award-winning managing editor/photographer/videographer/columnist at the Lincoln County Record-Times, with offices in both Davenport and Odessa, Wash. She is a University of Idaho graduate and a U.S. Army National Guardsman.
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