Big Rig pushed into River by Avalanche

Posting this after I found out that the truck pushed into the Lochsa River was a friend of mine.
I was finally able to get a hold of my friend today (also a Watkins and Shepard Driver). He WAS in the truck when it was hit. A small avalanche first hit him and while he was calling dispatch to tell them there was no damage but he needed a wrecker to pull him out, he was hit by a second (and larger) avalanche. The 2nd one pushed him and his truck (Van trailer loaded with lumber) into the Lochsa river, overturning him onto the passenger side. He was only able to see a small bit of light from one corner of his windsheild. He then broke the windsheild and pulled it in and started digging out. Once he had enough snow removed there were already other truck drivers there to help pull him out of his truck.

The truck remains in place today and he isn't sure when they will be able to retrieve it and his personal gear. We are all just happy he is okay. He is at home now with his family recovering from the incident where he was lucky and only received minor bumps and bruises.

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Avalanches force closure of Highway 12 west of Lolo Pass
Posted on Feb. 1
By the Missoulian

LEWISTON, Idaho - A series of four avalanches that began Thursday evening forced closure of the U.S. 12 between Lolo Pass and Lowell and left a dozen semi-trucks/trailers stranded.

Idaho Transportation Department officials in Lewiston said the highway could remain closed for a week.

The first avalanche, about 20 feet high and 50 feet across, swept onto U.S. 12 at about 4:45 p.m.,MST, Thursday. Initially, the semi-trucks were stranded on both sides of the avalanche because they were unable to turn around on the two-lane highway that follows the Lochsa River.
Occupants of the 12 trucks remained at the site overnight and were transported by Idaho Transportation Department personnel to maintenance facilities and then to Kooskia, which is about 73 miles east of Lewiston. There were no reported injuries and no medical units were dispatched.

One of the three subsequent avalanches pushed a loaded lumber truck into the Lochsa River. It was not occupied and remained in the river Friday evening.

The second avalanche is about 10 feet high and 100 feet across; the third is about five feet high and 50 feet across, and the fourth is about 20 feet high and 100 feet across.

Highway crews were in the process of closing the highway Thursday afternoon when the first avalanche occurred. The transportation department maintenance facility at Bald Mountain, about eight miles west of the avalanche area, received two feet of new snow Thursday. About four feet of snow has accumulated at the facility.

An avalanche mitigation expert under contract to ITD was en route to the U.S. 12 closure Friday to assess the avalanche risks and advise the department on how to proceed.

Heavy snow in the region makes slopes along the highway extremely unstable and removal of the avalanches very difficult.

The alternate route between Lewiston and Missoula is Interstate 90 that crosses northern Idaho. However, one main route north of Lewiston to Pullman, Wash., was closed Friday. Snowstorms and steady winds continue to make travel difficult in most regions of Idaho.

A heavy snow warning was in effect through early Saturday morning for the Lookout Pass area. Montana Department of Transportation officials announced Friday that I-90 east of Lookout Pass will be closed for several hours Tuesday for avalanche control work. The interstate will be closed between Saltese and Taft exits beginning at 10 a.m.

Motorists are advised to use the 511 Traveler Services Web site or dial 5-1-1 for the most current highway conditions in Idaho. Both are updated as conditions change.