Big Horn County prepares for more water

AP Photo/Matthew Brown:

Kellen Backbone prepares to hook up a hose to a pump being installed to remove water from of a low-lying area in Crow Agency, Wednesda. During a break in the rain Wednesday, members of the Crow tribe worked to bolster their flood defenses along the Little Bighorn River after much of the reservation was inundated during the last week.

HELENA — Water-damaged Big Horn County is ordering 50,000 sandbags in preparation for more flooding next week.

Officials on the Crow Indian Reservation say they will use about 10,000 of those bags to protect septic operations and other important areas.

Mild weather is allowing tribal officials and counties across Montana to make repairs and prepare for next week, when runoff from the melting snow pack is expected to cause more flooding.

With the receding waters, displaced reservation residents are being relocated from Billings to a new shelter on Crow Agency.

The reservation's septic facility is not operating and the water system is damaged. Residents are advised to boil tap water before drinking.

AP Photo/Matthew Brown:

Elijah LaForge fills a sandbag held by C.T. Walks Different in Crow Agency, Mont., Wednesday. During a break in the rain Wednesday, members of the Crow tribe worked to bolster their flood defenses along the Little Bighorn River after much of the reservation was inundated during the last week.

Federal emergency teams will begin assessing the flood damage in Montana on Thursday to see if federal aid is required.