Disaster declared at Fort Belknap

Heavy rains in August once again led to flood disaster declarations by Montana’s governor, including the third disaster for Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in five years.

The disaster declaration is the fourth year a flood disaster has been declared in this area in the past five.

“With the severity and intensity of the storms we saw last week and the damage that resulted, it is important that the state provide relief to those jurisdictions that need our assistance,” Gov. Steve Bullock said in a press release.

The declaration also covers the Valley, Petroleum and Musselshell counties and the town of Ekalaka.

The declaration allows Bullock to mobilize state resources and the Montana National Guard, as well as expend funds to meet the contingencies and needs that may arise from the emergency.

Over the weekend of Aug. 21-24, rainfall in excess of seven inches in a short period of time across central and north-central Montana caused the Milk and Musselshell rivers and tributaries to rapidly rise above major flood stage, damaging culverts, roadways and stock reservoirs, the release said.

Wind gusts up to 75 mph in Ekalaka during a storm Aug. 21 also caused severe damage there.