Flood — Wheatland, Montana

2014-03-06 to 2014-03-07 · near Winnecook, Wheatland, Montana

Event narrative

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported that small stream and low land flooding occurred across the area. Water was reported to be flowing over Highway 12 near Two Dot and Highway 191 between Harlowton and Judith Gap. Water also flowed across some of the roads along the Beartooth Foothills south of Reed Point and Columbus.

Wider weather episode

After a very cold winter resulting in area rivers, streams and creeks freezing, early March began with some heavy snow followed by a rapid warm-up. This warm-up resulted in snowmelt and ice-jam flooding over area rivers, creeks and streams that continued into the middle of the month. While many areas experienced flooding, the locations that were most impacted by flooding included Park County, areas along the Musselshell River, areas around Pryor Creek, and the Otter Creek area in Rosebud County. Common impacts from the flooding included water over roadways and low-land flooding. There were also other areas that experienced flooding but impacts were minor.

The following were the major impacts from the flooding:

- Gov. Steve Bullock declared a flood emergency for the state entire state due to heavy snowfall combined with warm temperatures causing rapid snow melt.

- The city of Livingston and Park County declared a state of emergency as officials responded to runoff flooding that started on Livingstons's north side. Some evacuations of residents occurred.

- The Montana Red Cross opened a shelter in Livingston for residents, who were evacuated from their homes due to flooding. The areas that experienced the most flooding were Livingston Ditch and Fleshman Creek.

- The city of Livingston declared a state of emergency. Temperatures quickly went from the below zero into the 40s which resulted in rapid snowmelt on the upper regions around Livingston. Fleshman Creek overflowed near Park Street resulting in about 70 people being evacuated from their homes. The Livingston Irrigation Ditch also overflowed in several places.

Elsewhere, a helicopter was used for a flood rescue in Carbon County. An ice jam broke on the Clarks Fork River causing a massive flood resulting in a helicopter rescue of several people that were trapped by rising floodwaters. At least three people were safely rescued with no injuries. The rescue took place in an area near Byam Road and Highway 212.

Significant impacts from flooding also occurred in the Ashland area in Rosebud County. Otter Creek washed out part of the East Tongue River Road just east of the Ashland Airport. Ice jams and snow melt caused the flooding, which took out three culverts and the dirt under the road. Crews added a walking bridge but flood waters washed that away. An old railroad car was put in place to use as a temporary bridge. Water also flooded nearby homes.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (46.4838, -109.6059)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 506449. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.