There was so much flooding in Billings, Montana over the weekend that people were fishing on Shiloh Road. The National Weather Service (NWS) says Billings is already up to at least 4 inches of rain for the month of June, even though we are only 4 days in.
Today, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced Montana will receive an emergency disaster declaration from President Joe Biden. Initially, the Montana Department of Transportation estimated damage around $29 Million.
Could it be described as flooding of Biblical proportions? I don't know if you can go that far, but check out this video from flooding in Yellowstone National Park, to Natural Bridge, flooding down the streets of Red Lodge, House Rock being nearly overtaken on the Gallatin River, and a riverfront home on the brink of being washed down the river in Gardiner, Montana.
At a public meeting on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., residents in the areas that have been forced out of their homes will get information about what will happen when they are allowed to return.
A brief respite from the flood waters of the Clark Fork River is allowing homeowners who have been evacuated a few precious hours to check on their property, keep pumps running and retrieve medications.
Missoula usually sees peak runoff from snowmelt around May, but Missoula County's Floodplain Administrator, Todd Klietz warns that it can come much sooner, and that folks should be ready.