MISSOULA – Local officials have upped the number of homes that may be impacted by rising floodwaters in Missoula to 1,400.
The Clark Fork River is expected to hit major flood stage possibly as soon as Tuesday with waters rising to stages not seen since the mid-1970’s, according to John Grassy with Montana Disaster and Emergency Services.
The Missoula County Office of Emergency Management requested 100,000 sandbags over the weekend to protect infrastructure with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers now working to fill the order. Grassy says over 25,000 sandbags were delivered on Sunday and that the remaining will arrive on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now on the ground evaluating levee and stream levels. Grassy noted in a news release that more assistance may be sought depending on what the Corps of Engineers finds.
Missoula County officials have also asked the Corps of Engineers to assess the Missoula water treatment facility.
MISSOULA – Rising floodwaters that could impact 1,400 homes in Missoula have triggered an evacuation warning.
Sheriff’s deputies will be going door-to-door on Monday to let residents in flood-prone areas know that they are now under an evacuation warning.
The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office reports the area under the warning includes people living north of Third Street west of Hiberta Street.
It should be noted that residents are not being told to evacuate at this time.
However, residents are being urged to make preparations to safeguard property and move any pets and/or livestock.
A public meeting to discuss the latest on the flooding along the Clark Fork River will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday at Hawthorne Elementary School.
The American Red Cross is operating an evacuation shelter at Christ the King Church, at 1400 Gerald Avenue in Missoula.
Anyone who needs emergency assistance in the event of an evacuation order should contact 911.
Reporting by Mark Thorsell for MTN News
The Sheriff’s Office called an emergency press conference on Sunday afternoon to make announcements about how they’re approaching the situation.
“You may be separated from your household for an extended period of time. If there’s any preparations you need to take, please take them now. Get everything in order,” advised Ken Parks with the Missoula County Office of Emergency Management.
The Sheriff’s Office estimates that around 830 homes or addressed structures are within those flood watch zones, and they will talk to homeowners in danger over the next couple days.
“It’s almost like fire evacuations, we’ll be going door to door and giving them warnings, that an evacuation may be likely to occur,” said Missoula County Sheriff TJ McDermott.
“The flow is 12.72 from 2011, and we will surpass that by Tuesday, or at least Monday evening and then reach…close to 13 feet…by mid-week,” added National Weather Service meteorologist Leeann Allegretto.
Meanwhile, the Bitterroot River is now under a minor flood warning as the height of flows edges past 11 feet.
The American Red Cross is operating an evacuation shelter for flood victims at Christ the King Church which is located at 1400 Gerald Avenue in Missoula. Residents seeking shelter should call 1-800-272-6668.
Additionally, anyone who needs emergency assistance in the event of an evacuation order should contact 911.
A public meeting to discuss the flooding situation will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday at Hawthorne Elementary School.
Thanks to donations and community support, Missoula County has also set up a sandbagging station and central resource hub at the Orchards Homes Country Life Club at 2537 Third Street West.
