The concerns about severe flooding in Blaine County have diminished, with the National Weather Service downgrading its flood warning in the county to a flood advisory, posted at 4:55 a. m. and remaining in effect through 3:45 this afternoon.

“Yes, we dodged a bullet, ” Blaine County Commissioner Vic Miller said this morning. “The weather has actually cooperated with slowing the water down. ”

Of particular concern was large amount of snow containing a high amount of water in northern Blaine and Hill counties, which officials said could lead to rapidly rising stream and creek levels as it melted. High moisture content in the soil could have exacerbated that, with the soil unable to absorb much of the water from melted snow.

The Weather Service two weeks ago had listed a flood advisory for Hill County and a flood warning for Blaine, with the Milk River expected to peak at levels that historically had led to flooding in Harlem and Chinook.

That forecast was continually pushed back and reduced as time progressed last week.

This morning, no flood advisory or warning was listed for Hill County.

Both counties had seen flooding in areas, including some road closures.

Miller said Blaine County officials still are receiving some reports of water over roads, which they are dealing with as the reports come in.

He said that, as of this morning, all tributaries to the Milk are low with the exception of Lodge Creek, which is maintaining a higher level.

Stream flows are constant, and swiftly running water still can cause unsafe conditions, he added.

Near Zurich, the dam at BR 12 had been breached last week, with temporary repairs done on the structure. Officials now will start releases at that reservoir and Anita Reservoir today, to get the reservoirs back to expected levels, Miller said.