Thousands of sandbags are delivered to the Victor Fire Department after flooding emergencies depleted their own supply.
The town of Victor sent out an SOS and Ravalli County answered the call for help with two truckloads of sand, after the hot weekend threatened homes and properties with high water.
The Victor Fire Department says they are ready to fill bags for nervous homeowners and to answer any questions about the current flooding situation.
Recently the fire department was able to save a home on the corner of Chickadee and Red Crow and the Victor ballpark with sandbags. Fire Department Trustee Dave Meadows says some folks have been back two to three times seeking more protection for their properties.
"We haven't had as far as I know any problems at the River Bottom itself yet, and I do say yet because today is supposedly peak day. But who knows mother nature is in control bit it is out role to provide for the health, safety and welfare if you will, for the citizens of Victor."
Longtime Victor Residents say they have noticed in previous years the river rise up, but for some reason this year the water seems to be spreading further east.
Meanwhile, officials with the Bitterroot National Forest are reporting that a pair of U.S. Forest Service roads have been closed to traffic as a result of the high spring runoff.
A temporary road closure is in effect on the Nez Perce Road, at the junction with Soda Springs Road.
High water is flowing across the road and creating a safety hazard and it'll be closed to all travelers, except those with special use permits such as over-snow transport shuttle drivers, floaters with river permits, Magruder Renters, and Outfitter and Guides.
Trailers and small cars are not recommended to go into the area as the high water crossing requires higher clearance vehicles.
Please contact the West Fork Ranger District at (406) 821-3269 for more information.
Meanwhile, a section of the Sula Peak Road #5727 eroded after being rammed by large root wads in a debris dam on the East Fork of the Bitterroot River near the Spring Gulch Campground. The Sula Peak Road is now closed at the junction with U.S. Highway 93.
Additional information about this road closure is available from the Sula Ranger District at 821-3201.
Forest users are encouraged to use caution when traveling on mountainous road and trails. Conditions of roads and trails can change quickly due to high water and saturated ground.
-Andrea Lutz reporting from KPAX in Missoula
The National Weather Service office in Missoula is continuing a flood watch for the Clark Fork River above Missoula.
The latest measurement showed the water was at 9.1 feet as of Noon on Tuesday. Flood stage is 10.0 feet and some minor flooding is possible in the area.
A flood watch also covers Prospect Creek at Thompson Falls, where the latest stage was 6.5 feet as of 11:00 a.m. Tuesday. Flood stage is 7.5 feet and the maximum stage is forecasted to hit 6.9 feet at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
While the recent hot temperatures are winding down, the river levels are still going up as the National Weather Service expects high river levels to crest on Tuesday.
"We'll see a little rain on Tuesday, morning and possibly into the day, and the river levels will slowly come down, but they're still going to me high, and we'll continue to see the rivers rise today, and into tomorrow" explains Ray Nickless with the National Weather Service in Missoula.
The discharge along the Blackfoot River is more than double what it was a week ago, and the City of Missoula has even pulled bridges from Greenough Park. Officials say the bridges and trails won't re-open until water levels recede substantially.
The hot weather is on it's way out, rain is in the forecast, which is good news for the dry valleys, but not so good news for the already overflowing rivers, as they will still remain high.
In the Bitterroot, Ravalli County emergency officials say that the flooding is happening in the places they predicted that it would.
Some of the roads flooded are those near Sheefman Creek and Osprey Lane, and at Bell Crossing near Victor.
The streams and creeks are increasing in width and capacity throughout many places in Ravalli County and over the weekend, the Victor Fire Department spent time protecting a home with sandbags.
Meanwhile, the remaining fire departments in the county are still handing out sandbags and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has even closed seven fishing access sites due to high water.
Volunteers are still needed to help protect homes in the Bitterroot and anyone looking to lend a hand is asked to call 375-6655. Officials are looking for volunteers to fill sand and form sandbag lines.
While county accessible sand piles are going fast, but officials with the Ravalli CVounty Office of Emergency Services say that as of right now, there's no reason to contact the state for assistance.
(from May 19,2008)
Ravalli County emergency officials say the high water is shaping up just as they thought in places predicted to have heavy flooding.
Areas that normally flood in the county each year are in fact flooded, which is no surprise to emergency officials, but roads not already covered in water are nearly there with water only inches away from driveways leading to homes.
Roads especially flooded are those near Sheafman Creek and Osprey lane, as well as Bell Crossing near Victor.
Streams and creeks are increasing in width and capacity throughout many places in Ravalli County. Over the weekend the Victor Fire Department spent time protecting a home with sandbags. Meanwhile all the remaining fire departments in the county continue to hand out sandbags. Fish Wildlife and Parks closed seven fishing sites to fisherman.
So now, volunteers are needed to help protect homes. Anyone who can help is encouraged to contact the Ravalli County office of emergency services at 375-6655. Volunteers are needed to fill sand and form sandbag lines. You are responsible for your own transportation.
County accessible sand piles are going fast, but the office of emergency services says although you can never fully predict what mother nature will do, there is no reason to contact the state for help right now.
The flooding also forced the closure of seven fishing access sites along the Bitterroot River. The closed sites include Hannon Memorial, Wally Crawford, Angler's Roost, Woodside Bridge, Bell Crossing, Poker Joe and Florence Bridge.
Officials say the closures will remain in place until flood conditions improve.
Boaters are also advised to avoid the Bitterroot River until flood-stage flows recede. Officials say the water is still extremely cold, and the currents are very high and powerful. Debris is also floating down the river, adding to the already dangerous conditions.
All access sites along the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers remain open, but visitors are asked to use caution and to monitor the current list of closures, at (406) 542-5500.
The National Weather Service in Missoula has continued the flood watch for several rivers and streams in Western and Northwestern Montana.
The latest level for the Bitterroot River near Missoula was 9.9 feet, as of 11:00 a.m. on Monday. Flood stage is 11.0 feet and minor flooding is being forecasted, with a maximum stage of 11.5 feet at around 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.
The North Fork Flathead River at the Canadian border was at 9.8 feet at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, with flood stage at 10.5 feet. The maximum stage being forecasted is for 10.5 feet at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday.
The Clark Fork River above Missoula was at 8.4 feet as of 1:00 p.m. on Monday. The flood stage is 10.0 feet and the river may approach the flood stage by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service office in Missoula has issued a flood watch for the Bitterroot River near Missoula.
As of 7:00 a.m. on Monday, the river was running at 9.6 feet. Flood stage is 11.0 feet and the Bitterroot River is expected to approach flood stage by late Monday evening or on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service in Missoula has also issued a flood warning for several rivers in western and northwestern Montana.
A flood warning is in effect for the Flathead River at Columbia Falls until Thursday early afternoon. As of 9:00 a.m. Monday the stage was 13.7 feet with minor flooding is forecast and the flood stage is 14.0 feet.
The river is forecast to rise above flood stage late Monday morning and is expected to crest at 15.0 feet early Tuesday afternoon.
There's also a flood warning for Prospect Creek at Thompson Falls. As of 7:00 a.m. on Monday the water was at 7.0 feet with minor flooding forecast.
Flood stage for Prospect Creek is 7.5 feet and the river is forecast to reach flood stage late Monday or early on Tuesday morning.
If the water reaches 7.5 feet, road washouts are possible along Prospect Creek Road.
(from May 18, 2008)
Western Montana rivers and streams continued to run high because of weekend snowmelt, but so far, only minor flooding has been reported along a handful of waterways.
Forecasters and emergency managers have been watching the water's rise closely the past several days because of the combination of lingering heavy snow in the higher elevations and a sudden spike to summer temperatures.
However, through Sunday afternoon, the major rivers were still within their banks.
On the Bitterroot, the river is expected to hit flood stage Monday morning, but cresting at less than a half foot above flood stage at Darby, and only a quarter foot above flood stage at Bells Crossing on Monday afternoon.
The National Weather is predicting the Middle Fork of the Flathead will crest a half foot above flood stage at West Glacier with some minor flooding through Monday night.
The main fork of the Flathead is now expected to stay just under flood stage at Columbia Falls. The North Fork of the Flathead will just top flood stage Monday.
Elsewhere, the St. Regis River is predicted to crest at flood stage on Monday evening, The Thompson River and Prospect Creek near Thompson Falls had already topped flood stage and was causing some minor flooding Sunday evening, but is forecast to drop Monday.
There's also minor flooding along the Yaak and the Fisher River, but both are expected to crest Monday.
Montana's News Station Stormtracker forecasters are still expecting temperatures to be near 80 on Monday, before cooling to the low 70s Tuesday, and dropping back into the upper 50s with a chance of showers Wednesday.
- Dennis Bragg reporting from KPAX in Missoula
The warm weekend is almost over, but the threat of possible flooding around western Montana remains. Flood warnings are still in effect until Monday afternoon, and in some cases, until Tuesday morning.
Currently, the only rivers reporting minor flooding are the Yaak, near Troy, and the Fisher, near Libby. Meanwhile, the St. Regis River and Thompson River, as well as Prospect Creek are reported to be near flood stage.
Officials report that within 48 hours minor flooding is expected at the St. Regis, Thompson and the Bitterroot River, near Darby, and at Bell crossing. Minor flooding could also occur at the Middle Fork Flathead River near West Glacier and the North Fork Flathead near Polebridge.
There's a flood warning for the Bitterroot River near Darby until early Tuesday afternoon, with the river sitting at 6.9 feet. Flood stage is 7.5 feet. Also on the Bitterroot, near Victor, a flood warning has been place through Tuesday. Currently the water is at 9.8 feet and flood level is 11 feet.
A flood warning will take effect on the St. Regis River from late Monday morning through the afternoon. The current water levels are at 7.7 feet and flood stage is at 8.0 feet.
The North Fork Flathead River, at Polebridge, will be under a flood warning from early Monday to Monday morning. Currently, the water is at 10.9 feet and flood stage is 12 feet.
Meanwhile, a small stream flood advisory is in place for snowmelt swollen creeks in Ravalli County until 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. Ravalli County commissioners have declared a flood emergency.
(from May 17, 2008)
Near record breaking temperatures have forecasters predicting possible flooding of many Montana rivers.
The National Weather Service was reporting on Saturday afternoon that only the Yaak River near Troy and the Fisher River, near Libby, are in "near flood stage" levels.
However, in the next 48 hours, analysts are predicting minor flooding in the Bitterroot at Bell Crossing, in the Flathead at Columbia Falls, in the Middle Fork Flathead near West Glacier, in the Fisher and the Yaak, and in the Selway near Lowell.
They are predicting moderate flooding in the Clearwater River at Orofino.
(from May 16, 2008)
The Ravalli County Commissioners signed a declaration of emergency to safeguard the county from potential flood damage on Thursday.
The decision means that the county can now provide sand bags through the local fire departments.
Ravalli County officials are encouraging local residents to prepare for rising river flows, now by starting to sandbag their property if they live near a place prone to flood damage.
The sand is available at various public places through out the county including most fire departments and including the Hamilton Airport and at the Ravalli County Bridge and Road Department.
By declaring a state of emergency now, the county can go ask for state or even federal help later down the road if need be.
(From May 14, 2008)
Officials in Ravalli County are keeping a close eye on the weather and the potential flood danger this year.
The weather forecast calls for a rapid warm up, and by this weekend, people living in some areas may see rushing waters around bridges and roads.
We spoke with the Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management on Wednesday, in order to get the latest on the flood outlook and what people can do to stay safe.
The last time Ravalli County hit record-flood levels was 1997, but Ron Nicholas with the Office of Emergency Management says the county has the highest level of snow pack in the state.
"Snowpack is great it serves for a lot of great purposes but also has the potential for a lot of problems."
The forecast is calling for temperatures in the high 80's by the weekend, which is concern for residents living, along the Bitterroot River.
Some local business have been selling filled and unfilled sandbags for people who want to get ahead.
Meanwhile, if public infrastructure gets consumed with flooding the county will set up to the plate, but only if a state of emergency is declared.
The Office of Emergency Management is sending out a message to prepare your house, safeguard your possessions and develop a family emergency plan, to make sure this flood season is not as damaging as 1997.
(from May 12, 2008)
Emergency managers all over Western Montana are keeping one eye on the river gauge and the other on the thermometer this week, as they plan for weather that could bring the worst flooding in a decade.
While the region's rivers are still within their banks, the volume of water is increasing as warmer temperatures start melting the near record snow in the mountains.
While the valleys have been free of snow for a couple months, the foothills still have more snow than we've seen in recent years.
The high country is still locked in winter, and as temperatures are forecast to climb above 80 degrees for the first time this year by Friday, the National Weather Service is warning many local rivers could top flood stage.
The Bitterroot River is still two to three feet below flood stage and the Clark Fork River at Missoula is about six feet from flooding.
(from May 9, 2008)
Forecasters say temperatures could jump to summertime levels late next week, causing several Western Montana rivers to flood for the first time in nearly a decade.
The National Weather Service has been closely tracking conditions for the past several weeks, with concerns a combination of heavy winter snows, warm temperatures and spring rains could force many rivers over their banks.
In fact, hydrologists have warned some rivers could match high water marks last seen during flooding in the spring of 1997. And today, the latest forecasts are proving out those warnings, as temperatures are expected to soar into the 70s, and even over 80 degrees late next week.
And with much of the high country still locked in snow forecasters say that's creating a definite flooding potential and some rivers could be raging by the end of the week.
Authorities are most concerned about high water along the Clark Fork in and near Missoula, the Bitterroot River near Darby and Missoula, the Fisher River near Libby and the Yaak in far Northwestern Montana.
Forecasters say there could also be more localized flooding on rivers and streams in Flathead, Sanders and Mineral counties. Several counties are already planning to deal with floods.
The outlook is for temperatures to moderate the following week, but the flooding potential could remain strong right through next weekend.
-Dennis Bragg reporting from KPAX in Missoula
