Old Man Winter goes easy on Orofino during swath across the region
The Idaho State Patrol reports Tuesday night US95 milepost 223-259 is closed in Idaho County due to an avalanche on Whitebird Hill and blizzard conditions.
Last week when the region was experiencing record-breaking snowfalls, ground blizzards, collapsed roofs drifting snow and avalanches causing road closures, Orofino, snuggled in its cocoon along the river among the hills and pine trees, received only 2.8 inches of snow.
In stark contrast Elk River, in the same county as Orofino, has been declared a disaster area after receiving over seven feet of snow during last week’s storms.
Heavy snowfall at Pierce reportedly caused a roof to collapse on a logging shop. No other details are available.
A series of four avalanches last week forced closure of the U. S. Hwy 12 east of Lowell and left a dozen semi-trucks/trailers stranded according to the Idaho Department of Transportation (IDT).
The first avalanche about 20 feet high and 50 feet wide swept onto the highway and left 12 trucks stranded on either side, unable to turn around on the two-lane highway that follows the Lochsa River.
One of the three subsequent avalanches pushed a loaded lumber truck into the Lochsa River. It was not occupied. No injuries were reported as a result of the avalanches.
The Avalanche control experts working with IDT last weekend used explosives to bring down unstable snow along U. S. 12 between Lewiston and Missoula, MT. As of Monday the highway remained closed between Lowell and the Lolo Pass Summit.
Fourth of July pass on WB 190 was closed Tuesday night due to multiple semi spin outs according to the Idaho State Patrol.