BOISE, Idaho — Update: Highway 21 between Idaho City and Lowman had reopened by the morning of Thursday, March 16. Highway 21 between Grandjean and Banner Summit and Highway 75 over Galena Summit remain closed.
Three sections of mountain highways in southwest and south-central Idaho were closed because of slides or the threat of slides, the Idaho Transportation Department said Wednesday morning.
State Highway 75 is closed in both directions over Galena Summit, from Horse Creek Road to Salmon River, according to ITD. The Blaine County Sheriff's Office said the closure is due to the danger of avalanches. The sheriff's office also is warning of black ice on roads elsewhere in Blaine County.
Large avalanches reported Tuesday were blocking the Big Wood River near Hailey; flood warnings issued Tuesday are in effect at least until noon Wednesday.
State Highway 21 was closed Wednesday from milepost 48 near Idaho City to milepost 72 near Lowman because of rock slides.
Another stretch of Highway 21, "Avalanche Alley" from Grandjean to Banner Summit, is closed because of avalanche danger. ITD said this section is closed until further notice. The department plans to reassess conditions at 7 a.m. MDT on Friday.
The Sawtooth Avalanche Center lists avalanche danger as High for all four zones in its region, including Banner Summit, Galena Summit and Eastern Mountains, Sawtooth and Western Smoky mountains, and the Soldier and Wood River Valley mountains. Travel in those areas is not recommended. The center on Wednesday continued to post avalanche warnings for three zones, not including Banner Summit.
"Stay off of, out from beneath, and away from steep slopes. Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Avalanches could impact roadways, trails, and structures in the valley bottom. Avalanches will be large enough to dam rivers, snap trees, and destroy a wood frame house," the Sawtooth Avalanche Center said in a statement on its website.
Watch more weather:
See the latest weather forecasts and news in our YouTube playlist:
Download the KTVB mobile app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips.
