Gov. Otter declares disaster in northern Idaho

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Story Published: Jan 9, 2009 at 3:09 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 9, 2009 at 3:09 PM PDT

By Associated Press

BOISE (AP) — Governor Butch Otter has declared a state of disaster in northern Idaho's Benewah County because of winter conditions.

Officials say extreme winter weather has caused ice to build up on the St. Joe River, and that the ice must be broken up to help prevent the flood conditions that are already considered likely to come.

Benewah County officials sought the declaration and emergency funding so they could hire commercial icebreakers. The declaration is the first step in getting access to the emergency money.

Other parts of northern Idaho, including Moscow, are dealing with rapid snowmelt.

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