Recent rain and snow melt is increasing ground saturation, according to the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management, making conditions ripe for landslides and debris flow on steep slopes.

These concerns were discussed in a conference call Saturday between Harrison Mayor Wanda Irish, Public Works supervisor Bob Poole, Kootenai County Commissioner Chris Fillios, Jerry Wilson of Idaho Transportation Department and Jay Baker of OEM.

They discussed the request for state assistance in performing emergency stabilization work on Sunset Terrace in Harrison and the hillside below. Trees, rock and debris from that area continue to slide onto Highway 97.

"As mayor of Harrison and all city officials, we are concerned with the flooding and mudslides impacting our community and are reaching out to residents and individuals to offer our assistance," Irish said a news release. "We are working with our engineers and city attorney Nancy Wolff to ensure we have filed an emergency declaration that could open up state disaster funding opportunities to address the repair of any public damage. Our city council is aware of issues affecting our community. Our public works supervisor, city clerk and myself have reached out to individuals that have serious issues."

OEM had requested damage assessment reports from individuals and jurisdictions that have been impacted by flooding and land and mudslides. According to OEM Director Sandy Von Behren, the amount of damages reported by individuals does not meet the threshold for Kootenai County to request individual funding assistance for its citizens.

The county and local jurisdictions are covered under the state disaster declaration, which makes numerous resources available to assist in responding and performing emergency work on public infrastructure.

OEM warns that Kootenai County residents with homes on or at the bases of hillsides, such as Cape Horn Road in Bayview, should be aware of the potential for landslides and watch for leaning trees, water and mud seepage where not normally expected, in addition to other signs of potential ground movement.

Drivers should be attentive and cautious when driving in landslide-prone areas, Von Behren said. OEM also encourages residents to keep an eye on local weather reports, as rain is expected for the next seven days.

The National Weather Service forecasts the flood warning to continue for Lake Coeur d'Alene until Tuesday afternoon. Minor flooding remains a threat through at least the middle of next week for the Coeur d'Alene River Basin, Rose Lake, Fernan Lake, Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Spokane River.