Mudslide on Highway 21 forces closure near Stanley. It could last a week.

STANLEY (Idaho Statesman) — A mudslide covered a section of State Highway 21 near Stanley, forcing officials to close the road.

The Idaho Transportation Department announced at about 6 p.m. Wednesday that a mudslide had made Highway 21 impassable from Lowman to Stanley.

The highway was closed in both directions from Grandjean near milepost 93 to Banner Summit near milepost 105, according to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office.

Transportation officials said that the likelihood of additional rainy weather meant they expected the 12-mile stretch to stay closed for about a week, but are “hopeful crews can reopen it sooner.”

“Crews are taking a closer look at the slide in the early morning light, and heavy equipment is already on the way,” the department said in a statement.

The area near Grandjean was hit by a cluster of thunderstorms Wednesday evening, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Les Colin. He said the amount of precipitation remained unknown because of the area’s remoteness.

Colin said his weather models showed no additional rain in the forecast over the next week.

“That (cluster) was the main event, and that’s moved out,” Colin told the Idaho Statesman.