Flood Watch Issued by National Weather Service

The National Weather Service in Pocatello, has issued a FLOOD WATCH for areas of Eastern and Central Idaho, from Thursday evening until late Saturday.

“A Pacific storm moving towards the west coast will start spreading warm moist air into southern Idaho this afternoon. Heavier rainfall will start occurring tonight, mainly in the central Idaho mountains and the highland locations east of the Snake River from the Montana border south to the Utah border. The mild air, coupled with heavy rain, will cause strong melting of snow already on the ground, even up to the 8500 foot elevation tonight. On Saturday, another storm will bring even warmer and moister air into central and southern Idaho. Expect even more rain than the Thursday night/Friday storm, and even more melting up to the 10,000 foot elevation. This will cause flooding, even where there is normally no river, as the water finally ends up in creeks and small streams, which could go to bankfull quickly. The heavy precipitation ends Sunday, but flooding can continue after that as the excess water continues its move downhill.

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH LATE SATURDAY

NIGHT…

* Flood Watch for portions of eastern Idaho and southeast Idaho, including the following areas, in eastern Idaho, Upper Snake Highlands. In southeast Idaho, Cache Valley/Idaho Portion, Caribou Highlands, and Wasatch Mountains/Idaho Portion.

* From this evening through late Saturday night

* Heavy rain will develop this afternoon and continue through the overnight hours tonight. Another round of heavy and warm rain is expected Saturday, with rain as high up as 10 thousand feet elevation. This will melt much of the snow already on the ground from this winter, causing large areas of surface run-off.

* This overland, or areal, flooding can inundate homes and other buildings, damage road surfaces, and make roads impassible. Storm water drains can be overwhelmed, especially if blocked by debris such as branches and leaves.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. No flooding is occurring at this time.

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be

prepared to take action should flooding develop.”