WASHINGTON, DC – An estimated $1,532,994 from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will go towards flood recovery efforts in nine additional Montana counties.
According to FEMA, Lewis and Clark, Powell, Missoula, Park, Carbon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Treasure, and Custer counties will receive public assistance for flooding in May and June of 2018.
The assistance is in addition to the previously awarded disaster designation by FEMA in August for Blaine, Hill, Liberty, Petroleum, Pondera, Toole, and Valley counties.
In a press release, Governor Steve Bullock stated he was pleased all Montana counties that requested relief from spring flooding will now be provided with support.
“I am thankful to FEMA for working closely with us to secure this funding, to the Montana counties for their diligence during and after these difficult times, and for the volunteers and emergency services teams who kept Montanans safe during the record spring flooding,” he said.
Under a federal declaration, FEMA provides for 75% of the eligible disaster costs. The remaining non-federal share is covered between the state disaster fund and local contributions.
Orchard Homes residents in were forced out of their homes during the worst floods Missoula had seen in decades.
The Clark Fork River had crested at 13.82 feet and Tower Street in Missoula was hit especially hard during the flooding. Residents along Tower Street faced mandatory evacuations for weeks.
Power lines along the Clark Fork river were compromised during the flooding and a trailer was swept off if its foundation causing damage to county infrastructure.
June’s flooding also forced many road closures and washed out a bridge near Augusta while in Helena, Rossiter Elementary School students finished classes at Carroll College due to flooding around their building.
