Montana Flooding — A Huge Disaster

The Biden administration has declared severe flooding in the southern part of Montana a major disaster. Heavy rainfall and snowmelt has loaded five of the state’s rivers to record highs.

So the state has seen dramatic flooding in a several areas including Yellowstone National Park.

Federal help will be on the way for state and local governments. Funds will be available to take care of public infrastructure damage and to mitigate future losses. Individuals and households will be helped, too.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte said the help is much needed. “Over the last several days, flooding has destroyed homes, washed away roads and bridges, left Montanans without power and water services, and threatened Montanans’ livelihoods,” he said. “Securing this major disaster declaration will further help our communities respond to the severe flooding, recover, and rebuild. The state will continue bringing its resources to bear to support communities impacted by flooding.”

The governor asked for the expedited assistance and got help from the three members of the state’s federal delegation, Rep. Matt Rosendale, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines.

“Severe flooding has already wreaked havoc on Montana communities and Yellowstone National Park, and we haven’t seen the last of it yet,” the group wrote in a joint statement. “This damage will have a significant impact on Montana’s economy, and we hope to see disaster assistance distributed swiftly and effectively, so that Montanans can begin rebuilding their homes, their businesses, and their lives.”

Gianforte’s request noted damage to just the transportation part of the state’s infrastructure will total $29 million.

Source link: Montana Free Press — https://bit.ly/3n3NwIE

Source link: AXIOS — https://bit.ly/3zTHu4V