Biden approves major disaster designation in Montana following floods

President Biden approved a major disaster designation in Montana on Thursday, ordering federal assistance to areas affected by severe storms and flooding that began June 10 and continues.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged in Carbon, Park and Stillwater counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

A White House news release said additional designations may be made at a later date, if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell named Maona Ngwira as coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

In a written statement released by his office, Gov. Greg Gianforte said: “On behalf of all Montanans, I thank both the president for his swift approval of our request and Senator Daines, Senator Tester, and Congressman Rosendale for their work to move our request forward with the president, as well as for their unified support of our efforts.”

Earlier this week, heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt caused rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas across southwest and south-central Montana to flood. Several communities, including  Gardiner, Red Lodge and Cooke City, were temporarily stranded by the water. Yellowstone National Park was evacuated and remains closed.

As of Wednesday, the Montana Department of Transportation initially estimated damage to transportation infrastructure totaling $29 million.

The acute damage to infrastructure, particularly in and around Yellowstone Park, will impact communities that rely on tourism and recreation for livelihoods, jobs, and revenue, the governor’s office said Thursday. Park County benefits from more than $200 million annually in tourism, and Carbon County brings in $68 million annually from tourism.

“High percentages of the workforce in these areas are in the hospitality and recreation sector,” Gianforte said in his letter requesting the federal disaster designation. “Housing stock and availability in the affected communities is already limited. Damage to residential areas will exacerbate this issue. The subsequent economic losses to these communities will be significant and long-lasting.”