Several cars and trucks block the south bound lanes of I-15 after they were involved in an multi car accident in Payson, Utah, Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. This was one of several accidents along I-15 in the Payson area that closed both north and south bound lanes for several hours. (George Frey / AP)
By Matthew Williams
16:51, January 29th 2008
Western states are to face a hard winter as heavy snow has fallen from Washington to Arizona, triggering power cuts, chaos on the streets and the overwhelming at one ski resort. In northern Idaho roofs from several businesses fell under the pressure caused by the weight of snow. Due to avalanches, several people had to be evacuated. Nobody was injured.
Referring to the residents, John Livingston, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said: "They got clobbered," the Associated Press informs.
The bad weather is due to a storm system which arrived from California and met with another system from the Gulf of Alaska. It has stopped over eastern Washington and northern Idaho.
A new storm is expected on Tuesday, which could bring 1 to 3 inches of snow in the low areas and about 2 to 4 inches in the mountains. Heavy snow warnings are posted for Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
Because of the snow schools in Coeur d'Alene had to be closed on Monday. According to officials, this is the first time since 1996 the schools were closed.
Almost 2,800 people from Idaho suffered from power cuts due to storm, but the service came back late Monday.
Some 30 inches of snow has fallen in Colorado's San Juan Mountains and 13.7 inches in Spokane, Washington.
Because of avalanches in Idaho four houses were destroyed. Police in Ketchum evacuated 71 homes just as a precaution.
Many roads were closed all over Utah and Idaho, including Interstate 84 at the Idaho-Utah line.
Spokeswoman Laura Schaffer said that because Little Cottonwood Canyon was closed to traffic for avalanche, skiers remained stranded at Utah's Snowbird resort.
As snow started to melt warnings of flooding triggered an emergency declaration on the Navajo reservation.
Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. said: "Protecting life, limb and property is always our first priority. Real dangers exist in our remote areas miles from paved roads."
Referring to the residents, John Livingston, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said: "They got clobbered," the Associated Press informs.
The bad weather is due to a storm system which arrived from California and met with another system from the Gulf of Alaska. It has stopped over eastern Washington and northern Idaho.
A new storm is expected on Tuesday, which could bring 1 to 3 inches of snow in the low areas and about 2 to 4 inches in the mountains. Heavy snow warnings are posted for Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
Because of the snow schools in Coeur d'Alene had to be closed on Monday. According to officials, this is the first time since 1996 the schools were closed.
Almost 2,800 people from Idaho suffered from power cuts due to storm, but the service came back late Monday.
Some 30 inches of snow has fallen in Colorado's San Juan Mountains and 13.7 inches in Spokane, Washington.
Because of avalanches in Idaho four houses were destroyed. Police in Ketchum evacuated 71 homes just as a precaution.
Many roads were closed all over Utah and Idaho, including Interstate 84 at the Idaho-Utah line.
Spokeswoman Laura Schaffer said that because Little Cottonwood Canyon was closed to traffic for avalanche, skiers remained stranded at Utah's Snowbird resort.
As snow started to melt warnings of flooding triggered an emergency declaration on the Navajo reservation.
Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. said: "Protecting life, limb and property is always our first priority. Real dangers exist in our remote areas miles from paved roads."
