Last week’s flooding recorded the highest water levels since 1996 and Moscow’s fourth-highest water level on record.
“It was a pretty significant event historically,” Tyler Palmer, streets/fleet division manager said. “Not uncommon for localized flooding like this, but this was higher than those. It required a higher response.”
The flood response level was raised from a one to two, on a scale of one to three, during the flood’s peak March 30.
Palmer said several homes close to the flood plains required sand bags, and more than 2,000 sand bags were distributed.
“We used volunteers to help in the operation, shut valves and used pumping to help alleviate flooding,” Palmer said. “A couple of residents were evacuated as a precaution, but there were no injuries and no property damage.”
Palmer said other than the evacuations, the only issues were road closures and land flooding.
On March 26, Mayor Nancy Chaney declared a Local Disaster Emergency that was in effect until Monday.
“The local disaster emergency warning helps make people aware of what’s going on, lets them know to get sandbags if they need them and take stock of their personal situation,” Palmer said. “By declaring an emergency it frees up resources and funding and emergency requests for help outside the city if we need it. It sets ourselves up to prepare if the problem continues to escalate.”
Palmer said Paradise Creek is erratic, with water levels that rise quickly.
“Water levels shoot up, they just rocket right up there,” Palmer said, adding that the levels take significantly longer to decrease.
Current water levels — measured at the USGS station located at Warbonnet Drive and the Moscow Pullman Highway — have returned to normal, which Palmer said is around 6 feet in contrast to the 8 feet, 8 inches the creek reached Monday. There are still chances for the flooding to return, but Palmer said if it does, the Streets Department will be prepared.
Anyone with remaining water level concerns should contact the Streets Department at 208-883-7097.
Katy Sword can be reached at [email protected]