COEUR D'ALENE -- As flooding continues across North Idaho, residents in flood prone areas are urged to prepare themselves for evacuation if it becomes necessary.

Three north Idaho counties have announced separate public information phone numbers to accomodate community requests for assistance and information.

- Shoshone County flood hotline (208) 556-1983

- Kootenai County flood hotline (208) 446-2292

- Benewah County information line (208) 245-4122

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department and Office of Emergency Management activated the Emergency Operations Center on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Shoshone County residents affected by the "boil water order" issued by the Central Shoshone County Water District will be able to pick up bottled water at fire stations in Kellogg and Osburn.

One gallon jugs of drinking water, packaged three to a case, will be distributed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Coeur d"Alene River at Cataldo is above flood stage as is lake Coeur d'Alene. The lake is expected at this time to crest at 2,135.55 feet of elevation late on Saturday.

High water volume in the lake has caused the lake to back up into the Highway 3 area causing the Coeur d' Alene River and the Chain Lakes to flood from Cataldo to Harrison.

High water has caused the closure of the rails to trails from Enaville to Harrison including the following roads:

* Killarney Lake Road.

* Bull Run Road.

* Latour Creek Road (the Bureau of Land Management Bridge approximately six miles up Latour Creek Road has been washed out).

* CCC Road.

* River Road between Highway 3 and Tamarack Ridge Road.

* Loffs Bay Road at Mica Creek.

* Rainy Hill Road.

* Medimont Road.

Idaho Governor Butch Otter has added Kootenai and Bonner counties to a growing list of state disaster areas from spring flooding. This will speed up the process of receiving state and federal aid for flood victims.

Karen Hoag

Flood waters near Kooskia, Idaho.

The situation is a bit more serious along the St. Joe River at St. Maries. Moderate flooding is now forecast along the river, which will crest five feet above flood stage on Friday.

Send your flood pictures to pics@KREM.com.