Flood damage closes Lightning Creek Road

June 15, 2022

Recent precipitation and associated flooding has impacted Lightning Creek Road (FSR 419) on the Sandpoint Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. This road comes out of Clark Fork and accesses the Lunch Peak and Moose Lake area. A debris flow plugged a culvert, causing damage to the roadway near mile marker three and Goat Mountain trail 135.

The area of significant damage should be repaired by next Wednesday, June 22. Although there is other minor surface damage, Lightning Creek Road should reopen to full access following site repair.

A road closure order is in process, and the road is currently impassable due to the damage.

Please avoid Lightning Creek Road altogether as there will be Forest Service personnel and heavy equipment operating in the area during repairs. Please keep in mind that road conditions in the spring, especially with the recent amounts of precipitation, can be soft and unstable.

Practice the “know before you go” principles – have a plan, a map, and an alternate route in mind in case unsafe conditions are encountered.