Author: mpeltzer

NEWS RELEASE
Idaho Office of Emergency Management
For immediate release May 31, 2019
Contact: Elizabeth C. Duncan
(208) 258-6595 eduncan@imd.idaho.gov

Idaho Office of Emergency Management to
Assist Kansas following Flooding and Tornadoes

BOISE – Governor Brad Little has approved an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) agreement with Kansas to assist with recovery efforts following flooding and tornados.

Ben Roeber, the Preparedness and Protection Branch Chief for the Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) and former Boise County Sheriff, leaves for Kansas today to provide support and subject matter expertise in the Kansas State Emergency Operations Center following devastating tornadoes that hit Tuesday night. Roeber will serve as a liaison between counties and the state EOC.

“Idaho is proud to assist our fellow Americans in their time of need,” Governor Little said. “We support the Emergency Management Assistance Compact agreement because we believe in neighbors helping neighbors and states helping states. Idaho’s highly skilled and experienced state employees will be able to share their expertise with Kansas as they work through these challenges.”

The EMAC is an all-hazards mutual aid agreement between states. Through EMAC, states can share any resource available with another state following a Governor’s declaration of a disaster or emergency. More information is available at https://www.emacweb.org/
The Kansas EOC remains at Level I Full Activation in response to flooding that was part of a weather system that began Tuesday night, spawning tornadic activity that caused widespread destruction in both Douglas and Leavenworth counties.

# # #

The Idaho Office of Emergency Management is a Division of the Idaho Military Division. The services we provide are to facilitate emergency management in Idaho, and to assist neighboring states. The women and men of this Division are dedicated to their mission of protecting the lives and property of the people of Idaho, as well as preserving the environmental and the economic health of Idaho.

Original Release

NEWS RELEASE
Idaho Office of Emergency Management
For immediate release April 15, 2019
Contact: Elizabeth C. Duncan (208) 866-5969 eduncan@imd.idaho.gov
Jerry Zumalt, Idaho County Disaster Management (208) 983-3074 jzumalt@idahocounty.org

 

Information, Resources Available to Idaho County Residents Affected by Spring Flooding

 

Grangeville, Idaho – A Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) will be open from 3:30 – 8:00 PM Tuesday April 16, 2019 at Kooskia City Hall, 26 S. Main Street, Kooskia, Idaho. The MARC serves as an important resource for residents whose homes, property, and businesses were damaged or destroyed by spring flooding that began April 8, 2019.

Representatives from multiple agencies will be on hand including:

• American Red Cross
• Salvation Army
• North Central Public Health District
• Natural Resources Conservation Service & Farm Agency
• Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR)
• Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

The meeting allows families, farm and business owners, and individuals, to ask subject matter experts questions on a variety of issues including – testing and evaluating wells and septic systems, debris clean up, home restoration, agriculture-related damage assistance, and other immediate needs.

Those attending are encouraged to bring identification and pictures of damage.

Along with the governmental and non-profit agencies on hand, Palouse Paws Therapy Dogs, an organization based in Moscow, Idaho, will have a therapy dog available for assisting individuals who may be struggling with anxiety and stress.

In addition to facilitating Tuesday’s MARC, Idaho County coordinated the efforts of the Needs Assessment Teams. The teams traveled throughout the flood-affected areas of the county yesterday collecting data from people whose homes and property were affected by the flooding. The data collected by the Needs Assessment Teams provides a broad awareness of
what needs exist, allows officials to prioritize those needs, and informs recovery efforts.

 

# # #

 

Original Release

NEWS RELEASE
Idaho Office of Emergency Management
For immediate release March 18, 2019
Contact: Elizabeth C. Duncan
(208) 258-6595 eduncan@imd.idaho.gov

 

Needs Assessment To Be Conducted In Idaho County Following Spring Flooding

Two Idaho counties have State Disaster Declarations

 

BOISE – Needs Assessment Teams will be in Idaho County this weekend gathering information from residents affected by spring flooding. Community and Tribal members in the Kooskia, Stites, Clear Creek, and the upper Clearwater area, are encouraged to share flood-related damage information with team members. This will help officials ascertain the most effective response and recovery efforts.

Earlier this week Governor Brad Little signed a State Disaster Declaration for both Idaho and Adams County in response to significant damage caused by spring flooding. A state disaster declaration makes state matching funds available to assist counties with debris removal and repair efforts.

In addition to a Needs Assessment Team the county is also working with IOEM and multiple state and federal agency partners to coordinate a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC). The MARC is a resource for the community that matches up the right agency, and their resources, with community or Tribal members affected by flooding. The MARC will be available to community and Tribal members Tuesday April 16th from 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM PST at the Kooskia City Hall in Kooskia, Idaho.

The Idaho Emergency Operations Center (IDEOC) remains activated at Level III in support of Idaho and Adams Counties. For a daily statewide synopsis of issues relating to current state declarations, please visit the IOEM website. https://ioem.idaho.gov

# # #

The Idaho Office of Emergency Management is a Division of the Idaho Military Division. The services we provide are to facilitate emergency management in Idaho, and to assist neighboring states. The men and women of this Division are dedicated to their mission of protecting the lives and property of the people of Idaho, as well as preserving the environmental and the economic health of Idaho.

High water can cause significant hazards. Residents are reminded to avoid low-water crossings and not attempt to cross water-covered roads.
“Turn Around Don’t’ Drown.”

Original Release

NEWS RELEASE
Idaho Office of Emergency Management
For immediate release March 18, 2019
Contact: Elizabeth C. Duncan
(208) 258-6595 eduncan@imd.idaho.gov

 

Idaho Governor Brad Little Signs Flood Awareness Week Proclamation

Spring flooding is one of Idaho’s major hazards

 

BOISE – Idaho Governor Brad Little signed a proclamation this week designating March 18-23 as Flood Awareness Week in Idaho. The proclamation underscores the importance of Idahoans understanding the risks posed by spring flooding.

“Spring snow melt fills our reservoirs for irrigation needs and helps keep our forests and rangelands healthy, but when the snow melts too quickly it causes dangerous flooding,” Governor Brad Little said. “That’s why Idahoans need to remain prepared for the flood risk every year.”

Jay Breidenbach with the Boise office of the National Weather Service says several areas of the state have a higher than average risk this year, including the Big Lost and Wood River Basins as well as the Upper Boise, Payette, and Weiser Basins.

“Snow amounts in Idaho’s mountains are not as high as they were in 2017, when significant flooding occurred, but they are high enough that Idahoan’s will need to monitor river levels and be aware of the dangers of flooding near streams. If hot weather melts the snow too quickly, or if heavy rain occurs during peak snow melt, this will also increase our risk,” Breidenbach said.

Flooding is the leading cause of severe weather-related deaths each year in the United States. Following these basic rules can keep you safe:

• Never drive through flooded roadways, even if it looks shallow. Just a few inches of fast moving water can wash away a heavy truck. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
• Monitor your favorite local news source for the latest weather information
• If flooding happens get to higher ground fast
• Never cross any barriers put in place by law enforcement
• Always have an emergency kit in your home and your vehicle in case you need to evacuate to higher ground quickly.

You can read Governor Little’s 2019 Flood Awareness Week Proclamation by clicking on the link. https://ioem.idaho.gov/Pages/NewsRoom.aspx Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for photos, safety information, and other local information related to Idaho Flooding.

# # #

The Idaho Office of Emergency Management is a Division of the Idaho Military Division. The services we provide are to facilitate emergency management in Idaho, and to assist neighboring states. The men and women of this Division are dedicated to their mission of protecting the lives and property of the people of Idaho, as well as preserving the environmental and the economic health of Idaho.

Original Release