CLARK FORK — Residents are still feeling the effects of historic flooding that hit North Idaho and western Montana on Thursday.

In Clark Fork, flooding of Lightning Creek caused several road closures and a state of emergency to be declared by Bonner County. Residents said East Spring Creek Road was hit the hardest by the floods. As of Friday, the main route remains closed to the public, while safety crews work to repair the road. 

Cami Hartman, who lives on East Spring Creek Road, said crews were able to open a back road on West Spring Creek Road for trapped residents to be able to get out, but that it is very narrow and swampy. Hartman said she was concerned that residents may lose access to that road again, if flooding continues. 

According to Clark Fork Fire and Rescue, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has taken over the reconstruction of East Spring Creek Road. The organization is asking for those in the region to limit use of that road so it can be used for immediate emergency use. 

Hartman said she had never seen anything like the flooding, especially because it happened so fast. She said she was grateful to be able to get out because she lives off the grid and relies on the town for food for her children and farm animals.  

“It sounded like a train,” Hartman said of the initial floods, which began around 2 a.m. on Thursday. “The damage was insane; there is a farm below us and it looked like Niagara Falls was running through there.” 

In addition to the road closures, Clark Fork’s main water line was washed away during the flood. Residents are encouraged to boil any tap water before use and can get potable water from a tank the city has placed in the parking lot of the Cabinet Bar and Grill.  

Issues with the water line forced the cancellation of two basketball games that were scheduled at Clark Fork Jr/Sr High School on Thursday. In a statement, the Lake Pend Oreille School District said there was no flooding, and classes were not disrupted at Clark Fork Jr/Sr High School.  

“The Clark Fork community is standing together and helping one another,” Clark Fork Principal Phil Kemink said. “But we are nervous for the next few days and keeping a close eye on the weather.”   

There was no flooding, and classes were not disrupted at Hope Elementary. However, several students did not attend class on Thursday or Friday, according to the LPOSD statement.  

All students affected by the flooding at Clark Fork Jr./Sr. High School and Hope Elementary will be given an excused absence, according to LPOSD. 

“We will work with families who are not able to send their children to school to ensure they are supported with the academic workload, as well as providing whatever resources we can,” LPOSD Superintendent Dr. Becky Meyer said. “The district is working closely with local aid organizations and relief agencies to ensure that those affected within our school communities receive the support they need.”  

Hartman said the events were very scary, especially knowing that she has no control over how the next days will proceed. However, she said that she is grateful to be in the Clark Fork community, which has come together to assist those affected. 

“Having this happen right before Christmas, the timing couldn’t be worse,” Hartman said. “I’m thankful to live in the community I do, they’ve really rallied around and lived for other folks instead of themselves.”