Single Publication

Flood Information Line: 406-426-2425
Facebook: Carbon Alert
Start Date: June 12, 2022
Location: Carbon County
Cause: Snow melt and recent precipitation

Unsafe conditions remain in the flooded area; the public is urged to stay away from closed areas. Reports of the public accessing unsafe areas continue to be a concern for law enforcement. Many roads, streets and sidewalks are unstable and could give way. Please avoid the area.

UPDATE ON CURRENT CONDITIONS The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River near Fromberg and Edgar are experiencing significant flooding with Rock Creek in Red Lodge cresting at noon on Monday 6/13 with water receding today. Highway 212 from red Lodge North and Highway 310 to Rockvale remains open. Roads and bridge damage in the area is significant. Public Works staff along with Montana Department of Transportation are assessing the damage due to the floods. The public is urged to stay away from the flooded and closed areas for their own safety.

Evacuation Shelters:
The American Red Cross has setup evacuation shelters located at the following locations:
• Bridger School
• Red Lodge Fairgrounds

Current evacuation orders in effect:
Red Lodge: East Side Road south of Red Lodge; the area east of Broadway from 19th Street to 14th Street, Park Avenue, South Kainu Avenue, Island at Rock Creek – Kainu.
Belfry: Lover’s Lane.
Fromberg: All areas east of Highway 310, south of East River Road west of the river.
Joliet: No evacuation orders are in effect at this time.

All drinking water from the tap should be boiled before use in Red Lodge, Fromberg and Edgar. Public Works has reestablished water service to parts of Red Lodge but significant damage to the infrastructure has occurred and parts of Red Lodge remain without water.

Planned Actions: Rescue and evacuation operations will continue today by Two Bear Air and the Montana National Guard with 7 helicopters working in the area. Due to the increased air traffic do not fly drones in the area. Damage assessment is being conducted along with surveying bridges, homes and roads in the area continues. Public Works will continue assessing critical infrastructure including water and sewer.

Public Meeting: A public meeting specific to Red Lodge area flooding will be held Tuesday, June 14th at 5pm at the Red Lodge High School, located at 800 Chambers Ave N. The meeting will also be live streamed on the CarbonAlert FaceBook page

Resources Assigned: The Western Montana Type III Incident Management Team has been ordered to assist local flood relief efforts. The Incident Management Team arrived today and will be briefing with local officials. Numerous agencies are on scene including: Carbon County DES, Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, Red Lodge Police Department, Red Lodge Fire & Rescue, Montana Highway Patrol, Fromberg Volunteer Fire Department, Bridger EMS, Bridger Volunteer Fire, American Red Cross, City of Red Lodge, Public Works, Forest Service, Beartooth Billings Clinic, Carbon County Public Health Department, Montana Department of Transportation, Montana FWP Game Wardens, Two Bear Air, and Montana National Guard.

Sandbags: The public can get sandbags at the following locations, volunteers have been assisting with filling bags: • Carbon County Fairgrounds 92 Rodeo Road in Red Lodge • Joliet Road Shop, 202 State Street • Bridger Road Shop, 22 Old Mine

Weather: Cooler weather arrives today with temperatures in the 50’s in the lower elevations with upper elevations in 30- 40’s. No significant rain is expected over the next 24-28 hours. After today, a warming trend will occur with the hottest day being Friday and Saturday with temperatures in the mid 80’s in the lower elevations. Increased water levels will potentially return with the warmer weather moving in the region later in the week.

For current information follow the Carbon Alert Facebook page or call 406-426-2425.