Flooding in Montana, May 20 to 31, 2011

Significant small stream flooding across much of Fallon County. Numerous roads closed and eventually washed out with additional damage reported to several bridges. Water breached a small dam and a couple private holding ponds in the region. Significant erosion threatened the Waste Water Treatment Plant in Baker. Significant flooding reported on O'Fallon Creek where one spotter reported the highest levels on the stream in at least 58 years with over a foot of water covering much of their farmland. At the Boxelder and Horse Creek confluence, flood waters rushed over dikes and into hayfields. Floodwaters surrounded one house in that region. Damage estimates based on FEMA reviews and Individual Assistance approvals.

Record to near record flooding reported on rivers and streams across Carter County. A total of 10 homes were reported as damaged by floodwaters. Damage estimates were based on FEMA reports and Individual Assistance approvals. On Boxelder Creek, at it's highest levels, water was flowing across Highway 277 between Hammond and Ridgeway and across Highway 323 (3 miles north of Belltower) about a half mile wide in spots. On the Little Missouri River, record flooding was reported. Significant flooding noted in the Albion area where one individual had to be rescued as floodwaters surrounded their house. Two dams also breached due to the high waters. Widespread farmland flooding occurred along Thompson Creek in southern Carter County between Ridge and Alzada. Significant erosion and flooding occurred along numerous small stream tributaries all across the county due to the rapid rainfall rates, resulting in considerable damage to county roads. At one point, Hammond Road between Hammond and where it intersects Highway 323 just northeast of Ridgeway was flooded in 7 different places.

Significant flooding occurred on creeks and streams across Carbon County with numerous county roads flooded, closing roads and resulting in significant damage. Emergency Travel only was advised at one point due to the severity of the flooding. Specifically, Rock Creek flooded, resulting in adjacent lowland flooding and closure of Grape Vine Road near Fromberg. Creeks were running out of their banks from the Beartooth Foothills between McLeod and Red Lodge, as well as tributaries of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River from Belfry to Bridger. Five Mile Creek flooded and washed out the bridge on East Pryor Road between Edgar and Pryor. Blue Water Creek east of Bridger flooded and washed out a county road as well. The heavy rainfall also resulted in water running over the spillway at Cooney Dam. This resulted in several homes flooded along Red Lodge Creek.

On May 25th, significant flooding was reported in the town of Joliet as debris backed up Rock Creek resulting in evacuations. At the peak of this flooding, Highway 212 was closed from Rockvale to Red Lodge as 18 inches of water was reported on Highway 212 through the town of Joliet. Fifty homes flooded in the area and seven people, mainly elderly, had to leave with the assistance of the fire and sheriffs offices. The Joliet Motel reported a foot of water in each of their rooms.

In addition, an 84-year-old woman drowned after she fell into a flooded ditch near her house. She was going to get her newspaper when she slipped and fell. The woman was swept a short distance downstream from her house near Boyd, where authorities found her body.

Damage estimates based on FEMA reviews and Individual Assistance approvals.

Significant flooding occurred all across Stillwater County, including streams and creeks emerging from the Beartooth Foothills. This resulted in numerous road closures and significant damage in spots to rural roads. Specifically; Whitebird, Benbow, and the Stillwater River roads were closed. During the height of the flooding, a couple of families were stranded by the flood waters. A bridge was washed out on Whitebird Creek. Subsequent flooding on the Stillwater River was observed the May 24-25th. Damage estimates based on FEMA reviews and Individual Assistance approvals.

Significant flooding occurred on creeks and streams across Sweet Grass County resulting in widespread lowland flooding and numerous county roads flooded, closing roads and resulting in significant damage. Numerous bridges also washed out. Specifically, Upper Deer, Lower Deer, Bridger, Sweet Grass, Big Timber and Otter Creeks Flooded. Specific roads flooded include; Anderson, Lower Sweet Grass, Mendinhaul, and Windsor Loop. At the height of the flooding, water was overtopping Interstate 90 from Mile Post 376 to 377. Damage estimates based on FEMA reviews and Individual Assistance approvals.

Significant flooding occurred on creeks and streams across Custer County with numerous county roads flooded, closing roads and resulting in significant damage. At the height of the flooding, emergency only travel was advised due to the magnitude of the event. The Powder River near Locate rose above flood stage from May 10th through May 23rd. The river crested four times at 11.29 feet, 11.70 feet, 11.27 feet and 9.28 feet on the 10th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd respectively. In addition, Pumpkin Creek was reported to be flowing over Highway 59 southeast of Miles City. Pumpkin Creek had a record crest of 13.98 feet on May 20th and 21st. The Yellowstone River at Miles City went above flood stage from May 22nd through May 29th. The river crested at 14.74 feet on the 24th and 14.53 feet on the 29th. The Tongue River at Miles City rose above flood stage from May 11th through May 23rd and crested at a record 13.99 feet on May 21st. Damage estimates based on FEMA reviews and Individual Assistance approvals.

From May 21st and even continuing into the month of June, extensive severe flooding occurred across Big Horn County from the Little Bighorn and Bighorn Rivers, as well as creeks and streams. An Incident Command Center was set up in Crow Agency where the Crow Tribal Chairman declared a disaster. At the height of the flooding, the Big Horn County Sheriffs office is quoted as saying, there is water everywhere. Hundreds of people were evacuated as flooding affected every community on the Crow Reservation. Fifteen to twenty homes were heavily impacted by the flooding. Interstate 90 south of Hardin to the Wyoming State line was closed for five days (May 21-26). Water rescues were required on the I-90 frontage road south of Crow Agency. Highway 212 was also closed for a period of time and at one point had water 3 feet deep overtopping the roadway. Railroad tracks and numerous rural roads were washed out in the area. In addition, flooding near Hardin brought down telephone equipment that handles 911 and long-distance calls for major cities and towns in eastern Montana.

The Bighorn River above Tullock Creek crested at a record 10.86 feet on May 23rd. The Little Bighorn River at Hardin rose above flood stage from May 22nd through May 27th and crested at a record 12.32 feet on May 23rd.

Damage estimates based on FEMA reviews and Individual Assistance approvals.

Widespread rainfall of 2 to 3 inches with locally higher amounts fell across the Yellowstone County area during a two day period. Billings had its all-time daily rainfall record broke on May 24th with 3.12 inches. This was just a part of a record setting precipitation month for Billings which totaled 9.54 inches. This rainfall on top of an already wet month resulted in some streams and creeks over Southern Yellowstone County to overflow their banks. Flooding occurred on Blue Creek in the Briarwood area. Several homes and structures were surrounded by water on Aviemore Court where some voluntary evacuations occurred. In addition, the Briarwood Golf Course was inundated with water.

Pryor Creek was out of its banks resulting in water spilling over a dike in a low lying area of Huntley. Fly Creek near Pompey was out of its banks and flooded a roadway leading to town. Flooding occurred along most of Pryor Creek between the towns of Pryor and Huntley. In addition, county officials reported that Pryor Creek Road Bridge between Interstates 90 and 94 was washed out.

Blue Creek Subdivision at Jene Helene Avenue flooded many homes and the Briarwood Golf Club May 20th-22nd. This resulted in the Billings Fire Department issuing voluntary evacuation orders. In addition, flash flooding occurred in Billings on May 24th forcing many road closures downtown and causing large boulders to fall off the Rimrocks. Flooding from Pryor Creek inundated a Huntley neighborhood and destroyed Pryor Creek Road on May 22nd.

The Yellowstone River at Billings went above flood stage on May 25th through May 26th. The river crested at 13.92 feet on May 26th.

In addition, a man operating a backhoe trying to save his house, drowned near Pryor Creek. The roadway had washed out from underneath the backhoe.

Damage estimates based on FEMA reviews and Individual Assistance approvals.

Heavy rainfall caused significant lowland flooding of rivers and streams across Treasure County, including some flooding and damage to area roads. The most concentrated flooding occurred along Muggins, Boxelder and Sarpy Creeks feeding into the Yellowstone River. Sarpy Creek flooding impacted travel on Highway 10. Across the entire county, an estimated half dozen roads were washed out. Additional heavy rainfall of 1-2 inches on May 29-30th resulted in prolonged flooding into the month of June. Specific damage estimates were not known.

Heavy rainfall caused rivers and streams to rise significantly resulting in some flooding. High water caused difficult passage on the road going into the town of Rosebud and water covered Highway 12 in the Hammond Valley. At the height of the flooding, Highway 12 was closed due to flooding from Ingomar to Forsyth.

The Yellowstone River at Forsyth went above flood stage with minor lowland flooding reported from May 22nd through May 29th. The river crested at 12.35 feet on the 24th and 12.18 feet on the 28th.

Damage estimates based on FEMA reviews and Individual Assistance approvals.

Highway 212 was closed on Lame Deer Divide due to the road sliding down a hill. Significant lowland flooding was also reported along Rosebud Creek. Sandbagging efforts were required on the Tongue River to avoid flooding of homes in the St Labre and Ashland areas.

Rainfall amounts ranging from 4-6 inches resulted in significant flooding across Powder River County. Most tributaries feeding the Powder and Little Powder River reported flooding. The Little Powder River subsequently flooded with water reported as flooding Highway 59 in several spots. This flooding resulted in numerous roads being washed out. Flood damage estimates were based on FEMA reports and Individual Assistance approvals.

County officials reported significant flooding across Park County, especially along the foothill locations and on the Shields River in the northern part of the county. The Shields River and its tributaries experienced significant flooding with adjacent low lying areas under water. Some of the creeks that were impacted by high water included Mission, Billman, and Fleshman Creeks. County officials also reported that several roads were closed, damaged and eventually washed out by high water. During the height of the event, the Department of Transportation closed the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 at Springdale due to water over the road from Peterson Creek.|Damage estimates were based on FEMA reports and Individual Assistance approvals.