NWS issues storm warning
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 10 months AGO
Ice and dormant rushes are shown along the shores of Moses Lake Friday.
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald
The National Weather Service on Wednesday afternoon issued a winter storm warning for the Basin, including Grand Coulee, Coulee City, Quincy, Wilbur, Ephrata, Ritzville, Harrington, Othello, Odessa, Moses Lake, and Creston.
The warning was to remain in effect until 10 a.m. today and included heavy snow, between 4 and 7 inches. Thursday morning’s commute was expected to be “significantly impacted” by the storm, the NWS’ warning stated.
Temperatures were expected to be 33 degrees as the high Thursday, and 30 as the low in Moses Lake.
Freezing rain also was predicted in areas Thursday afternoon and evening before temperatures rose above freezing overnight.
Parts of Interstate 90 near Moses Lake might get a glaze of ice, and parts of U.S. Route 395, between Ritzville and Tri-Cities, also could get freezing rain Thursday afternoon and evening.
“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” the warning stated. “The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 511.”
Additionally, a hazardous weather outlook was issued by the NWS Thursday through Tuesday, which included the Moses Lake area, due to the storm.
“Snow will end or slowly transition to rain from south to north across the Columbia Basin and into the valleys around Spokane and Cd’A (Coeur d’Alene),” the NWS stated. “A brief period of freezing rain will be possible during this transition but significant ice accumulations are not expected.”
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.