Flood Warning Issued for Palouse River Near Potlatch Affecting Latah and Whitman Counties

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Spokane, WA, has issued a Flood Warning for the Palouse River near Potlatch. This alert replaces the previous River Flood Watch and remains in effect until Sunday, March 15, at 11:55 AM PDT.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers regions in Washington and Idaho, including:

• Latah County, ID
• Whitman County, WA
• Potlatch and surrounding areas near the Palouse River

Expected Conditions

Moderate flooding is forecast for the Palouse River. As of 8:30 AM PDT on Friday, the river stage was measured at 11.4 feet. The river is expected to rise above the flood stage of 15.0 feet late tonight, reaching a predicted crest of 16.8 feet by late tomorrow morning.

Specific impacts at these levels include:

• 14.0 feet: Bankfull stage is reached.
• 16.5 feet: Water is expected to reach the back door of the city shop in Palouse and approach a residence on Main Street near Hayton Greene Park.
• Submergence: Lions Club Park in Palouse will be submerged, and water will surround the playground at Hayton Greene Park.

The river is expected to fall below flood stage late tomorrow evening.

Timeline

• Effective Period: From late Friday night through Sunday, March 15, at 11:55 AM PDT.
• Crest Timing: Expected late Saturday morning, March 14.
• Recession: Expected to fall below flood stage late Saturday evening.

What You Should Do

Residents and motorists in the affected areas are advised to take the following precautions:

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown: Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Never attempt to drive through flooded areas or around road barricades.
• Stay Clear of Riverbanks: Use extreme caution when walking near riverbanks, as they may become unstable.
• Monitor Updates: The next official statement from the NWS is scheduled for release at approximately 8:00 PM PDT this evening.