Snow, Rain Cause Problems in Spokane
Winter is only a few weeks old, but unusual levels of snowfall have already disrupted garbage and mail service, traffic, and school attendance in and around Spokane, WA, and that's only part of the inconvenience the recent weather has caused. The sheer weight of the snow on rooftops is causing leaks and collapses, and as the weather has warmed, the melting snow may lead to floods as well.
The locals call it "Sno-maggedon," and it has people so frustrated and upset that one man actually fired his gun at a snow-plow operator, last week.
While visitors to the area, such as Pat Summitt, a women's basketball coach from Tennessee whose team played a game at Gonzaga university on December 30th say the snow is "beautiful," Spokane-area residents are less than thrilled, especially since icy road conditions caused another school closing, giving 29,000 their second unscheduled day off in the week, only a few days after they had returned from winter vacation.
Heavy rain and temperatures in the mid-forties - warm enough for snowmelt - caused flood warnings to be issued by the National Weather Service, while three roads south of the city, U.S. Highway 272 (just west of Palouse), Highway 26 (west of Colfax) and Highway 194 (near Almota) were blocked by mudslides, and Highway 27 was closed along the Idaho state line was reduced to one lane because of snow.
Just how much snow has Spokane received so far? The total to date is more than 78 inches - or six and a half feet - which is far above the usual average of less than 50 inches. In a normal season, the total for this point in January is around 16 inches. The local record for a single winter is 93.5 inches, and if things continue as they are, that record may well be shattered this year.
So far, at least 200 members of the Washington National Guard have been sent to the Spokane region to help with snow removal, with school rooftops being a high priority. Also on watch for snow-related tasks is the Spokane Mental Health hotline staff, who say they're getting twice the usual number of calls, especially from elderly citizens who need help getting prescriptions filled, or can't shovel their own sidewalks and driveways.
If you live in or near Spokane, you are advised to check the status of your insurance policy, and make sure to keep your homeowners payments current. Flood damage is not generally covered by standard insurance, but structural damages due to snow may be.
