Southeast Idaho on weather alert, high winds and possible flooding

Bannock County residents are experiencing some unusual winter weather this weekend, facing high winds and even flooding in some areas.

The National Weather Service’s Vern Preston said a significant number of storms coming off from the Pacific Ocean are hitting southeast Idaho, so these storms tend to be warmer than the Alaskan storms the area normally experiences during the winter.

The warmer winds mixed with the snow melt is causing some fields near the McCammon area to flood so bad, many of them are starting to look like lakes.

In some low-lying areas winds are hitting speeds of 20 to 30 mph, whereas wind gusts have been reaching up to 50 to 60 mph in higher, mountainous areas.

Some locals said these have been the worst winds they have ever seen in the area.