Rain could create problems next week

The National Weather Service has issued a weather alert for the Idaho Panhandle regarding the rain that is predicted to fall next week. The forecast is calling for large amounts of precipitation on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, along with warming temperatures that could reach the low to mid 40’s.

Boundary County Emergency Management Incident Commander Bob Graham says that, considering the amount of snow on roofs in the area, this could be a serious concern for homeowners. Graham is concerned that if the forecast holds true and we do receive large amounts of rainfall, this could add a substantial, potentially dangerous amount of weight to some structures.

Graham says that the county is prepared to declare an emergency if necessary, which would make all volunteer resources available. The county declared an emergency for this exact reason back in 2005, when the National Guard came to the county’s aid. Still, a number of roofs, including the roof over Valley View’s gymnasium, caved in during the crisis.

Homeowners need to be alert to any squeaking, cracking or unusual noises, especially on outbuildings that might have older roofs, and preemptive measures should be taken so that any significant stress on roofs is alleviated as soon as possible.

Anybody with problems or concerns should contact the Sheriff’s Office.