April showers bring May flood concerns in the Flathead Valley.
Last month was the second wettest April on record in Kalispell, dating back to 1900, according to the National Weather Service. A total of 2.36 inches of rain was recorded at the weather station at Glacier Park International Airport. Last month’s mark was 1.12 inches more than usual and barely missed the all-time April record of 2.37 inches, set in 1978, according to the agency. Twenty-five of the 30 days last month received at least trace amounts of precipitation, and the most rainfall was recorded April 25-27, when nearly one inch fell.
The waterlogged April came on the heels of one of the snowiest winters on record in Kalispell, fueling flood concerns around the Flathead Valley as spring runoff commences. Yet so far this year, no significant flood issues have arisen and the National Weather Service is not forecasting any immediate problems, despite continued rain showers and warm weather predicted for this upcoming week.
“We’re closely monitoring everything and looking at river gauges,” said Rick Sacca, emergency management planner with Flathead County Office of Emergency Services. “We’ve been lucky so far. We’re cautiously optimistic.”
Last month the National Weather Service released a spring outlook that predicted persistent rain showers and rising rivers into July. The above-average moisture could help stave off fire season but also threatens to swell local rivers to flood levels, according to Ray Nickless with the NWS in Missoula.
The Flathead River in and around Columbia Falls is one of two local rivers that could experience some level of flooding, along with the Yaak near Troy, according to the NWS.
Although precipitation has been abundant, the colder nighttime temperatures this spring have helped slow down the spring snowmelt in the mountains, Sacca said. Also, the valley floors have melted early and allowed water to seep into the ground.
“We’ve had a lot of conditions working in our favor,” he said.
Kalispell, which has a weather station at Glacier Park International Airport, received 89.8 inches of snowfall from October through March, 161 percent of normal and one of the highest amounts on record. From December through February, 76.7 inches of snow fell, the third most on record and 4.2 inches shy of the all-time record set in 2008-09, according to the NWS.
In terms of precipitation, or rain, Kalispell received 13.69 inches between October and March, 186 percent of normal.
Sacca encouraged residents to take proactive approaches to avoid flooding issues where it’s necessary, such as installing and maintaining sump pumps. Also, if anyone sees clogged road culverts, they should contact the appropriate department, such as the county road department or Montana Department of Transportation.
“Everybody out here works together and keeps their eyes out,” Sacca said. “That really helps.”