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Flood Warning in effect for Blackfeet Indian Reservation

Posted at 11:29 AM, May 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-26 13:29:55-04

BROWNING – The National Weather Service (NWS) issued several flood warnings taking effect Sunday morning, and one of them, according to a social media post from Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, includes the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

“Flooding is expected to start today on Badger Creek and Two Medicine River,” the post said. “Please use caution and be aware of changing water conditions near you.”

Areport from NWS Great Falls released Sunday just after 9:30 a.m. detailed that numerous small rivers in areas west of Interstate 15 are falling victim to widespread heavy rain. As a result, models estimate they will rise above flood stage. Badger Creek and Two Medicine River are both listed as at-risk waterways in that report.

Browning, East Glacier Park, Heart Butte, and Saint Mary all were articulated in the report as areas currently prone to flooding. A flood warning has been issued for central Glacier County.

Other regions around Montana under flood warnings at this time are northwestern Lewis and Clark County, Pondera County, and Teton County. Minor flooding is occurring in rivers across the state, including the Dearborn River and its tributaries.

These alerts will remain in effect until further notice.

NWS classifies a flood warning as “flooding is imminent or has been reported along a river” within a designated area.

According to the NWS website, “river flooding can result from heavy rain during the summer and from rapid snowmelt or thunderstorm rain combining with runoff from melting snow.”

NWS recommends never navigating or operating a vehicle in a region under a Flood Warning. Most flood deaths, NWS notes, occur in vehicles. Always report prospective flooding or flood-associated emergencies to local law enforcement immediately.

MTN News and STORMTracker Weather will keep you updated on-air and online if and when these notices are lifted.

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