Outlying drainages are key to Asotin County flood potential

Snow in Anatone is melting and feeding creeks in Asotin County.

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Story Published: Feb 11, 2008 at 10:50 PM PST

Story Updated: Feb 11, 2008 at 10:50 PM PST

By Stephanie Smith

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ASOTIN - It might be dry in the Valley, but that's a stark contrast to towns like Anatone.

All the snow at the higher elevations in the Snake River drainage has to go somewhere, and that has Asotin County officials concerned about possible flooding.

"I got concerned, because I remember back in '96 what happened," said Asotin Emergency Management Director Butch Aiken. "We had flooding. The park was full of it, it washing a big gap in the football field."

Aiken said that it's not just the snow in the county, or even the state, that has him concerned.

"You’ve got to remember, Asotin County drains all of Northeast Oregon," he said. "The Wallowa, the Grand Ronde River, the Joseph Creeks, the Minam. They all drain through Asotin County."

Aiken said there is no need to be overly concerned and the forecast is looking helpful. But he said to be prepared.

"It would be nice if everybody would keep an eye out," he said. "If they see along the roads and stuff, it starts melting off, there is going to be some mud slides or things like that. They just had one on Alpowa Creek last Friday evening (that) closed the road for a while."

If there is a flood, Aiken has plans in the works and volunteers ready for action.

"We have made arrangement with people for sandbagging and sand will be available," said Aiken. "We've asked for volunteers. We'll fill sandbags load them in pickups, take them to homes that need them. I have people that live on the Grand Ronde that come and see me, and I give them sandbags for around their doors and things like that."

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