Lengthy mudslide covers Westside Road
—Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Boundary County Road and Bridge working to clean up mud and debris after a mudslide that occurred on Thursday morning on Westside Road.
—Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The mudslide that blocked Westside Road took place just inside the northern border of the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.
—Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Damage to Westside Road, north of the Wildlife refuge, caused by severe erosion.
—Photo by MANDI BATEMAN One of several places along Westside Road where the road is eroding away due to days of rain and snow melt runoff.
BONNERS FERRY — A mudslide lasting approximately two to three minutes covered a section of Westside Road, just inside the north border of the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge at 7:36 a.m. last Thursday.
Boundary County Road and Bridge crews arrived at 9:47 a.m. with equipment and began removing the mud and debris. The road was closed on the north side of the slide at 3163 Westside Road. As of 1:45 pm, the mudslide at the 2.5 mile marker had been cleared and the roadway was opened to traffic.
Westside Road, north of the slide, was also reported to be dangerous for travelers, with significant erosion on part of the dirt road.
Flooding was reported over the roadway just north of Copeland Road and near Elk Mountain Farms.
Joe Hafner, who drove through the area on Thursday morning, said people should not drive that route unless it’s absolutely necessary and to not attempt it without four-wheel drive.
Boundary County Emergency Manager Michael Meier emphasized the safety concerns with mudslides, eroding roads, and flooding. Meier said that it is important that people respect the barricades, as they are there for their protection.
“Here in the county, we are extremely concerned for the health and welfare of our citizens,” Meier said. “We would really like people to stay out of these hazardous areas. If you live on one of the barricaded roads, stop and talk to officials and ask them if it is safe to drive through.”
Information: Boundary County Road and Bridge, 208-267-3838.