Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE

RELEASE TIME: 10:00 am
RELEASE DATE: 5/25/2018
CONTACT PERSON: JoAnn Boggs
(509) 447-3731

Safety Alert: The Pend Oreille River is closed throughout the entire County

The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office warns citizens of the extreme danger the Pend Oreille River poses due to the extremely high flow and ongoing flooding issues.

Pursuant to Resolution 2018-20 of Pend Oreille County - the Pend Oreille River is now closed to recreational activities. NO boating, swimming or any other activity is allowed on the river until further notice.

The river poses extreme danger due to high flows, cold temperatures, and debris such as logs and brush being carried downstream. These dangers can cause injury or death. Hypothermia caused by the runoff can affect those in the river and those who may be accidently swept away by the current can become life-threatening immediately.

Please maintain a safe distance from the river. If you are placing sandbags or doing other measures to protect property, please wear a PFD (personal floatation device) as even being behind a levy or dike can be dangerous should they fail and water can threaten your safety, you could be swept away.

Right now, the river is predicted to rise with these warm temperatures. By this closure the Sheriff’s Office wants to keep our citizens safe and minimize hazards to First Responders who will not be put at risk unnecessarily with this closure.

Make the right choice, Stay Safe, Heed this closure order and stay away from the Pend Oreille River.