Governor Reviews Missoula Storm Recovery, Promises Aid

Governor Greg Gianforte and members of the State Disaster and Emergency Services division met with city and county officials and visited one of the many storm debris collection sites on Thursday afternoon, his first visit to Missoula since the disastrous windstorm that caused so much damage.

I asked the Governor about the status of state and federal emergency funds for Missoula.

Gianforte Described the Formula for Missoula to Receive Federal Disaster Aid

“The disaster declaration that I signed at the beginning of this emergency authorizes the state general funds out of our emergency reserves to pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of the recovery,” began Governor Gianforte. “That's what allowed us to bring the National Guard in to help with water and ice in that critical initial period.”

RELATED: Missoula Thunderstorm Caused $2-Million in Damage

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Gianforte provided details about the threshold for receiving federal funds.

“If public infrastructure damage reaches a total of $2 million or more, we're eligible for additional reimbursement from the federal government,” he said. “We're currently in the process of tabulating that. It looks like we're going to get to that so that'll end up paying for 100 percent of the cost of recovery related to public infrastructure.”

Gianforte was asked about Criticism for Taking a Week to Visit After the Storm

One reporter asked Gianforte about the criticism that it took over a week for him to visit Missoula in person following the storm.

“Well, first I'd say we were involved from the first hours of this disaster, getting disaster and emergency services here, the National Guard, and the disaster declaration,” he said. “We've been tracking this hour by hour throughout. My arrival early in the response would have been a distraction and taken away from the actual work on the ground.”

Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis expressed her gratitude to state officials.

“I think I speak on all of our behalf by saying that we are so incredibly grateful for the level of support that we've received from the state that you stepped in immediately and you heard how we described the way in which state agencies provided resources right from the beginning and enabled all of our local crews, both city, and county, but also all of our partner mutual aid agencies, to be able to be able to actually get these streets cleared, be able to get the power companies to the places that they needed to recharge and so thank you very much,” said Mayor Davis. “I think that is something that really speaks again to our larger community here in Montana, about how we how we help each other out.”

The Governor's Office Provided Specific Details about Federal Funding

The Governor’s Office provided these specific numbers for Missoula to receive state and federal funds.

“For a state disaster to be declared, the county had to commit the value of 2 mill levies. For the City of Missoula the value of that 2 mill levy is $406,868 and for Missoula County is $303,487.

Beyond that, the governor can request a Major Disaster Declaration for Missoula County if damages exceed the FEMA threshold which is $542,441. Along with this, the total damages for the entire disaster must exceed the state threshold of $1,994,474.

Once a Major Disaster Declaration is approved, FEMA pays 75% of the cost and the remaining 25% non-federal cost share is covered by the local municipality until they reach the value of their 2 mil which, again, is $303,487 for Missoula County.”