Official Government Website
Jerome County Added to State Disaster Declarations
NEWS RELEASE
Idaho Office of Emergency Management
For immediate release February 16, 2017
Contact: Elizabeth Duncan
(208) 258-6595 eduncan@imd.idaho.gov
Jerome County Added to State Disaster Declarations
Cassia, Jerome, Minidoka, Twin Falls and Washington Counties face widespread flooding destruction
BOISE – Jerome County has been added to a State Disaster signed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter for flooding in south central and western Idaho. The State Disaster Declaration now includes Cassia, Jerome, Minidoka, Twin Falls and Washington Counties. A State Declaration ensures that all necessary state resources are made available for recovery efforts.
More than one third of Idaho counties, a total of 19, currently have local declarations related to either winter snowfall or flooding-related events. Washington County in western Idaho is part of a state declaration for both snow and flooding. Valley County has a local declaration for mud and snow slides. The winter weather continues to cause widespread destruction to homes, businesses, infrastructure and industry. The onion, dairy, sugarbeet, cattle, and multiple other commodity sectors, in addition to food processing facilities, have sustained significant damage.
The Idaho Emergency Operations Center (IDEOC) remains activated to Heightened Awareness. The EOC is poised to elevate to a Level I or higher activation based on the forecast for additional rain this weekend. For a statewide synopsis of issues relating to the extreme winter weather please visit the IOEM website. https://ioem.idaho.gov/WebFiles/SituationReports/websitrep.pdf
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.”
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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.