Images of flash flooding in Idaho this week look like pictures of a natural disaster. Heavy rains caused landslides that destroyed vehicles and covered the camping ground with debris.
Local officials posted photos on Facebook this week, writing that the northeastern part of Boise County was “affected by flash flooding.” According to local news reports, at this time it appears that campers in the area escaped unharmed.
However, the landslide caused heavy damage to the Grand Jean trailhead and campground in the Sawtooth National Forest. Officials said landslides have increased in the area since the massive burn caused by the 2024 Wapiti fire.
The U.S. Forest Service said the campground is “unsafe” and is closed for the “foreseeable future.” Despite being the starting point for many hikes in the Sawtooth National Forest, the trailhead is also closed.
“This will not be an easy cleanup job,” the Boise County Sheriff’s Office wrote in an online post Friday. “Please wait for some time before the Forest Service reopens the area.”
cleaning details
The Sawtooth National Forest is not the only Idaho area that has suffered flood damage.
SH-21 is closed from Grand Jean to Banner Summit due to landslides. idaho department of transportation The announcement was made on Thursday morning. Photos released by the department showed the highway covered with logs and other debris, which would likely require considerable manpower to remove.
“Crews are closely monitoring the slide in the morning light, and heavy equipment is already on the way,” the department said in a social media post. “With more rain in the forecast, we expect the highway may remain closed for approximately a week, although we are hopeful that crews can reopen it soon.”
For Grand Jean Campground, the immediate response will be to reroute water away from the campground and trailhead, said Sawtooth National Forest spokeswoman Jessica Maddock. idaho statesman. This will dry out the area and make the process of removing debris easier.
Flooding in Idaho is the latest example of the natural disasters that have wreaked havoc on public lands across the country this summer. Wildfires and flooding have caused the closure of several national parks, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is still mostly closed due to active fires.
