Page 23 - Flathead Beacon // 3.12.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS MARCH 12, 2014 | 23

Bullock Declares Flood Emergency for State of Montana

Communities across Swollen rivers and impassable roads roads will freeze and it will help us,” wet snow through early this week. More
Montana have seen re- left hundreds of people cut of in rural Gates said.
than an inch of precipitation was fore-
areas of central Montana and authori- Mountain snowpack across the state cast in some areas.
cord levels of snowfall
ties warned the looding could get worse already is well above average, setting Flood warnings and winter storm
with more rain and snow expected early the stage for more high water when the warnings blanketed much of central,

this week.
spring runof arrives. That’s expected in eastern and southwestern Montana.
By BEACON STAFF & ASSOCIATED PRESS
Musselshell County appeared to May or early June, said National Weath- State oicials said they were track-
be hardest hit as dirt roads in rural ar- er Service forecaster Chauncy Schultz.
ing the situation closely and weighing
Gov. Steve Bullock declared a lood eas turned to mud, some bridges were Oicials were keeping a wary eye on the need for an emergency order from
emergency for the state of Montana blocked by high water and the Mus- ice-jams along the Musselshell River the governor if things worsen.
March 10. The declaration comes after selshell River threatened to overcome west of Roundup, which has about 1,900 “We’re quite concerned about the
recent heavy snowfall, along with warm protective dikes in Roundup, state and people. Ice jams also were reported on moisture that’s going to drop in the

temperatures causing rapid snow melt.
local oicials said.
the Yellowstone, Big Horn and other riv- Little Belt Mountains and the Snowy
The declaration allowed Bullock to Warm weather over the past week ers in Montana and Wyoming.
Mountains. That could add more is-
mobilize state resources and the Mon- unleashed massive amounts of water If the ice jams break free, water lev- sues along the Musselshell River and in
tana National Guard, as well as expend from recent snowfalls that blanketed els downstream could rise and more Roundup,” said Steve Knecht, chief of
funds to meet the contingencies and the region. That pushed many streams people in low-lying areas evacuated on operations for Montana Disaster and
needs that may arise from the emergen- and rivers over their banks, authorities short notice, Gates said. A makeshift Emergency Services.
cy.
said.
dike in Roundup built after looding In Yellowstone County, high waters
“Flooding is impacting Montana Impassable roads cut of about 350 three years ago was successfully holding that looded the basements of many

communities across the state,” said people south and east of Roundup and back the water.
homes were starting to dissipate, said
Bullock. “This declaration will give the hundreds more in the Dean Creek subdi- By late Monday, the Musselshell county emergency services director
state the lexibility and resources to re- vision southwest of the city, Musselshell had risen to levels not seen since severe Duane Winslow. Five homes south of
spond quickly and ensure the safety of County disaster coordinator Jef Gates looding damaged hundreds of homes in Laurel remained evacuated.
Montanans.”
said.
2011.
A boil water order was in efect in
Over the last two weeks, communi- Oicials advised residents to stay in More than two dozen houses near Clyde Park north of Livingston, the Bill-
ties across Montana have seen record place if possible, and were crafting plans the Musseshell River were evacuat- ings Gazette reported.

levels of snowfall, which, combined to ensure suicient food and medical ed. Schools in Roundup were canceled In the town of Manhattan, about 19
with warming temperatures has caused supplies were available to any stranded for Tuesday in anticipation that many miles northwest of Bozeman, Mayor
looding throughout the state. Current- residents.
teachers and students would not be able Dave Rowell said looding in the down-
ly, 30 of Montana’s counties are under a Temperatures were forecast to drop to make it.
town area late last week caused at least
lood watch, warning or advisory.
below freezing overnight as the rain The National Weather Service said a million dollars in damages, television
Bullock’s declaration covers the en- turns to snow.
a powerful Paciic storm system mov- station KTVM reported.
tire state of Montana.
“If it freezes and we get snow the
ing into the region would bring rain and
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