Mudslide knocks home off foundation in Sagle

SAGLE, Idaho — A mudslide in North Idaho knocked a home off its foundation Saturday afternoon.

Just after 3 p.m. on Saturday, a 25 foot section of Talache Road in Sagle broke loose and slammed onto a house below. The homeowners were not home at the time.

“It can get emotional because people’s homes, their lives are displaced, ” said Bob Howard, Bonner County Emergency Management Director. “Their lives are unstable you don’t know what they are going to do, where they are going to go.”

Howard was one of the first to arrive at the mudslide on Saturday.

“They evacuated the other folks that are here year round for their safety, shut the power off and we are waiting for technical assistance for road repairs,” said Howard.

Just minutes after the mudslide on Talache Road, another mudslide was reported just north of Sandpoint. Howard said a family of six became trapped and were quickly rescued by the local fire department.

The excessive rain and rapid snow melt has taken a toll on infrastructure, homes and businesses in Bonner County. On Thursday, Bonner County commissioners declared a state of emergency. Howard said the deceleration allows the county to hire contract workers faster to repair roads and other damage.

With more rain in the forecast, Howard is now urging neighbors to be prepared for an emergency and be aware of their surroundings.

“We still have a lot of snow pack to come off the hills. We’re not out of the woods, we’re not finished with this, in my opinion,” said Howard.

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