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Latah County Extends Flood Emergency Declaration
Commissioners take action after Paradise Creek and Potlatch River reach record highs
Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:53am
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The Latah County Commissioners in Idaho have extended an emergency disaster declaration following severe flooding over the past weekend. The flooding impacted the city of Moscow, with Paradise Creek reaching a new record high, as well as the Potlatch River, which also set a new flood record.
Why it matters
Extending the emergency declaration allows the county to access state and federal resources to assist with recovery efforts and mitigate future flood risks in the region. Extreme weather events like this are becoming more common due to climate change, underscoring the need for proactive disaster planning.
The details
On Friday, Latah County Commissioner Chair Tom Lamar issued an emergency disaster declaration in response to the flooding. During a meeting on Tuesday, commissioners were informed about significant damage to the Latah Trail and the levee in Kendrick along the Potlatch River. The Potlatch River reached a new record high of nearly 18 feet on Saturday, surpassing the previous record set in 2017.
- The flooding occurred over the past weekend.
- Commissioner Chair Tom Lamar issued the disaster declaration on Friday.
- The Potlatch River hit a new record high flood level of nearly 18 feet on Saturday morning.
The players
Tom Lamar
Latah County Commissioner Chair who issued the emergency disaster declaration.
Latah County Commissioners
The county governing body that extended the emergency declaration in response to the flooding.
What’s next
The commissioners' extension of the emergency declaration will allow the county to access state and federal resources to assist with recovery efforts and mitigate future flood risks in the region.
The takeaway
This extreme flooding event highlights the growing threat of climate change-driven natural disasters and the importance of proactive disaster planning and response at the local level.
