Commissioners seek state assistance
—Photo by STAR SILVA In this panoramic photo, Boundary County Middle School remains covered in snow after an estimated 36 inches accumulated over the last two days.
Massive snow accumulations, combined with a lack of volunteers, prompted the Boundary County commissioners to call a special meeting today in order to discuss the county’s disaster/emergency situation.
During the meeting, commissioners and Boundary County Emergency Management spoke with Idaho Office of Emergency Management Field Officer Jay Baker and requested to be included in the state of Idaho’s disaster declaration in order to receive assistance from Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter.
Commissioners also passed a motion to request that the Idaho Department of Corrections in Orofino send two, 12-men crews to Boundary County with appropriate crew supervisors, and necessary equipment to include: shovels, tarps, snow rakes, snow blowers, McLeod tools, etc.
The county is experiencing heavy snowfalls and it has been predicted that more precipitation is on the way, commissioners stated in an email today that would formally begin the process for state assistance. The total accumulation of these factors pose a potential for catastrophic damage to properties and structures, commissioners also stated in the email.
Time is of the essence, especially since the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning today that will be in effect from 4 p.m. Wednesday through 4 p.m. Thursday, with an estimated four to eight inches of additional snow accumulating in the valleys and an estimated 20 inches falling at higher elevations.
Commissioners said if their request is granted, they will assign the DOC inmates to clear off school and county structures that are most likely to incur damage or collapse, such as the Boundary County Middle School, which is first on their list.
“It’s an old building with a flat roof and only has the capacity to withstand about 40 pounds per square foot,” Boundary County Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton said. “That is going to have to be our top priority.”
The DOC inmates and their crew supervisors would temporarily stay at the Boundary County Armory, located across the street from the BCMS.