Transportation

Geography

Historical Background

Identified Hazards

Issues

Maps

Latah County has nine incorporated communities: Bovil (pop. 305), Deary (552), Genesee (946), Juliaetta (609), Kendrick (369), Moscow (21,291), Onaway (230), Potlatch (791), and Troy (798). The total population for the county in 2000 was 34,935. That is an increase of 14% since 1990.

Transportation

Geography

Land Area: 1,077 square miles.

Historical Background

Established May 14, 1888 with its county seat at Moscow. This area was first formed as Lah-Toh County in 1864 with Coeur d'Alene as the county seat, in 1867 the name Lah-Toh was dropped when the area was placed in Nez Perce County. In 1888 the U. S. Congress created the county as we know it, the 16th Idaho county and the only Idaho county created by Congress. Named for Latah Creek, which drains the northwest corner. The name is Nez Perce and means "the place of pine trees and sestle," because the Indians found stones here suitable for pulverizing camas roots and shade under the pine trees in which to work.

County Seat: Moscow

Landslide -  03/12/1997

Event Summary:    $9,500,000.00 -Mudslides plagued North Idaho .

County Summary:  $413,000.00 - 8 Miles of the Cedar Ridge Road will cost $413,000 to repair.

Idaho Transportation Department

Flood - New Year's Day Storm -  January 1-5, 1997

Event Summary:    $65,000,000.00 - New Year's day floods in the Weiser, Payette and Salmon River drainages of southwestern Idaho caused record flooding and numerous mudslides.  Warm temperatures combined with a rainfall 4-6 times the normal amount; the resulting snowmelt triggered devastating floods, mudslides and avalanches, extensively damaging communities and infrastructure  throughout Idaho .  The community of South Banks was condemned because of extensive slide damage.  Over 400 miles of roads and several railroad lines were blocked or destroyed, stranding over 10,000 holiday travelers in western Idaho . Residents of McCall, Cascade, Banks, Lowman and Garden Valley were isolated.  Rivers were "running like chocolate," carrying huge trees, mud and boulders; the Snake River at Hells Canyon Dam crested at 101,728 cfs January  1, nearly 30,000 cfs over its previous record level on  2/23/82 .  The crash of a plane carrying 5 people from Boise to McCall, killing all, was a result of the weather.  Governor Batt declared 13 counties a disaster: Gem, Adams, Washington, Idaho, Clearwater, Valley, Payette, Elmore, Latah, Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone and Boise .  A Federal disaster was declared on January 4, 1997 .

County Summary: $191,879.00

The Idaho Statesman 3/20/97

Severe Weather - 1/8/1990

Event Summary: Northern and eastern Idaho bore the brunt of the storm when high winds attacked Idaho .

County Summary: 

Idaho Statesman 9 Jan 90

Severe Weather - 2/1996

Event Summary:    $100,000,000.00 - The worst flooding in 30 years forces thousands to flee.  "one week deep freeze, the next deep water".  The deluge was triggered from fast-melting snow and days of heavy rains.  $5 million worth of damage occurred to highways from Bonners  Ferry to Grangeville.

County Summary: $1,000,000.00 - Student housing in Moscow was flooded.   The U of I's total damage was over $1 million.

The Spokesman-Review 10 Feb 96

Severe Weather - 1/5-16/1989

Event Summary:  A large storm ripped through the north central Idaho creating hazardous road conditions after it dumped several inches of snow mixed with great wind.

County Summary: Power was affected by trees falling on power lines.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 10 Jan 89

Flood -  8/29/1986

Event Summary:  Heavy rain flooded city streets in north Idaho .  Lightning struck power poles.  Gusts of wind were reported as fast as 70mph.  About 3.5 inches of rain was dumped in 20 minutes.

County Summary: Streets were flooded in Moscow .

Lewiston Tribune 30 Aug 86

Volcanic - 5/19/1980

Event Summary:    $13,700,000.00 - Mount St. Helens erupted from Washington spewing volcanic ash over several states.  Dust covered cities and contaminated drinking water.  The fallout prompted Governor Evans to declare a state of emergency. The counties in the panhandle received from one-inch to 3-inches of an ash blanket.  Costs for increased unemployment, destruction of vehicles and other equipment, damage to crops, livestock and timber, and lost tax revenues was about $13.7 million.  This does not include loss to residents, local businesses and government.

County Summary: 

Flood -  1/15/1974

Event Summary:    $116,000,000.00 - Flood waters isolated much of the Coeur d'Alene mining district.  The waters burst dams, blocked major roadways and forced evacuation of at least 1,000 persons.  About $65 million in damages. Shoshone and Benewah hardest hit. $9.5 million in damage to road systems.  $51.4 million in damage to private property. Governor Andrus declared the counties disaster areas.  More than 30 bridges were destroyed in 3 counties.

County Summary: $1,400,000.00 - $1.4 million in damages, this includes $100,000 in personal damages.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 23 Jan 74

Severe Weather -  1/3/1969

Event Summary: Sixteen snow slides were reported in North Idaho closing many highways.  An ice jam formed on the Clearwater River near Kamiah.  Flights were canceled in Lewiston due to the weather conditions.  A section of railroad was washed out and restricted motor vehicle travel was reported due to slides. Most schools were closed.  Snow along with 35-mile an hour winds, was blamed for power outages in Moscow , Potlatch, Troy , Deary, and Bovill.

County Summary: snow and black ice forced closure of Highway 95

Lewiston Morning Tribune 8 Jan 69

Flood - 6/12-17/1950

Event Summary:    $1,000,000.00 - Flooding in Northern Idaho . A cloudburst caused flooding in the Lewiston area.

County Summary: Troy and Deary had some damage to newly planted spring crops.  Moscow saw some washout of spring crops, mainly winter wheat was affected.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 15 June 50

Flood - 5/23-6/5/1948

Event Summary: The 1948 flood was caused by abnormal snowmelt augmented by rainstorms the latter part of May and in June.  The floods caused contamination of the water system, which left residents without drinking water. Over $3,700,000 damage to roads and highways. $30 Million damage to crops.

County Summary: Flood Emergency Declared

Lewiston Morning Tribune

Identified Hazards ( Most likely to occur & greatest impact)

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