A state of emergency has been declared for Zig Zag and Welches due to the flooding over the weekend that has left hundreds without power, water, phone and electricity plus a way out from the flooding of the Sandy River. LoLo Pass Road has been taken out for about a half mile due to a change of course by the river. Residents may be out of power for three to six weeks. A hand cut trail for two miles has been cut through neighboring properties for access now that LoLo Pass Road has been taken out for around a half mile. It looks like an earthquake area as the road buckled and river debris flowed through the area just above the Barlow Trail intersection.

The Red Cross has opened a shelter for families affected by the flooding at Camp Arrah-Wanna, 24075 E. Arrah Wanna Boulevard in Welches. The fire department and volunteers are checking on people in more isolated areas.

The bridge that crosses the Zig Zag River close to Hiway 26 to access LoLo Pass is currently closed and is getting assessed for stability. Not only the amount of water flow but the large trees that went down the river caused a great deal of erosion. All local bridges are getting checked out for damage assessment from the barrage of large trees that rambled the structures for days as the rivers roared through the area.

Here is the latest news on the emergency declaration for Zig Zag and Welches.

The total amount of destruction is yet to be completely assessed. At last count I believe four homes have been taken down the river. Three on the Sandy and one on the Zig Zag from a log jam across the Zig Zag River behind the local Skyway Restaurant near Rhododendron. Other homes are threatened by bank erosion and log jams on the rivers.

More details are to follow as they become available.