Flood Recovery Begins

While the rains have stopped, the water is still flowing. The record-breaking rainfall isn't quite done causing damage as the waters as of Tuesday hadn't receded under flood levels.

But the Milk River was expected to fall below flood stages within the next day. The forecast was for some minor flooding to continue.

Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Rick Seiler explained Tuesday that officials are waiting for waters to recede before they can fully assess damages from flooding last week.

He explained that the damages will be under the $1.3 million to trigger FEMA assistance.

Instead, Valley County has passed a levy, raising 2 mills during the upcoming fiscal year to raise funding for flood damages in addition to state assistance. The 2 mills will raise around $44,000, and the state should be able to help step in for extra funding in the disaster areas.

Roadways are still closed down in some areas of the county.

Both Content Road and Gilbertson Road are officially closed. Other roads have closed road signs up, are open to local traffic only and can only carry domestic vehicles until more permanent repairs are made. Seiler said that most of the damages will be to gravel washed off of roads, and some culverts may need repairs – which is much less damage then the area saw from the 2011 floods.

Glasgow City Council approved a measure under which, as the waters recede below flood stages, the mayor will sign a declaration of termination for a state of emergency. Many of the damages seen in the city are minimal.

It was noted at a council meeting that while waters rose quickly, the river hasn't come down as quickly.

National Weather Service Glasgow, as well as the County Road Department, still recommend that people avoid wet roads to help prevent vehicle damage and further damage to roads that are drying out.