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Bullock requests federal disaster declaration for flooding in Montana

Posted at 8:34 PM, Jun 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-18 22:34:37-04

HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock has requested a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide more resources to the state from the federal government for cleanup and recovery from widespread spring flooding.

“Montanans have come together to help our friends, neighbors and communities respond to the devastating impacts of flooding these past few months. Today I issued a request for additional resources from our federal partners to ensure recovery needs are met and we can continue to support our neighbors in the aftermath of these challenging floods,” he said in a news release.

The declaration would enable the state and counties to request federal assistance to repair damaged roads, culverts, and bridges.

Gov. Bullock declared a statewide flooding emergency on May 1. By Montana law, emergency declarations expire after 20 days. Given the severity of the situation, Gov. Bullock issued a disaster declaration.

He initially declared a state of emergency on April 12 in seven counties, one reservation, and one town due to flooding along the Hi-Line and parts of eastern Montana. Since April, 21 counties, eight cities, and three tribes have declared emergencies related to flooding.

FEMA officials visited several locations across the state last week to assess the damage to public infrastructure.