Area rivers may hit flood stage on May 18

An expected warming trend has the National Weather Service projecting flooding in Northwest Montana rivers and streams by next weekend, a development that had the attention of more than 25 emergency responders Friday in Kalispell.

The group met at the Flathead County Office of Emergency Services, participating in a conference call with the National Weather Service and making early plans for local flooding.

Meteorologist Peter Felsch said the forecast calls for temperatures rising into the 70s or 80s late next week. That and mountain snowpack that has hardly melted combine for streamflow projections showing several Northwest Montana rivers approaching or exceeding flood stage by Sunday, May 18.

The service is forecasting "high water with possible flooding" in Flathead County, and "flooding expected" on the Yaak and Fisher Rivers in Lincoln County.

The Fisher River, which approached within a half foot of flood stage this week, is predicted to exceed its 7-foot flood stage, while the Yaak River is expected to exceed its 8-foot flood stage at Troy.

The Middle Fork Flathead River is expected to reach its flood stage of 10 feet at West Glacier, and the main Flathead River at Columbia Falls is expected to reach its 14-foot flood stage.

Ray Nickless, hydrologist with the National Weather Service, said the Whitefish and Stillwater rivers also are expected to meet or exceed flood stage.

"We will fine-tune this as we get into next week," Nickless said. "These things can change quite a bit as you get closer to your event."

Temperatures and precipitation that exceed the forecast can raise or prolong any flooding that might occur. With that in mind, those gathered in the basement of the county Justice Center discussed multi-layered response plans.

The group included representatives from police and fire departments, county Road Department, the Red Cross, search and rescue, the state Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

The group identified some traditional flood trouble areas, including Mosquito Flats in Columbia Falls, Spruce Park in Evergreen, the Kokanee Bend area south of Columbia Falls, Leisure Island and farmlands on the lower Flathead River.

Plans for flood reconnaissance, public notification, evacuation, shelter, road closures, volunteer management and other response issues were discussed.

The group agreed on the importance of identifying elderly or disabled residents who may be homebound in flood-prone areas.

Plans were made for arranging for sandbags and sand supplies. A Road Department representative said sand piles used for winter road maintenance would be available if necessary.

A major advantage emergency responders have with potential flooding is modern river monitoring and communications technology, said Mark Peck, the outgoing Emergency Services director.

Peck said "reverse-911" technology that allows the Sheriff's Office to call residents within a geographic area are among the county's notification capabilities.

Peck's successor, Cindy Mullaney, said dealing with pets and livestock has "become a huge issue for emergency management in recent years."

The county fairgrounds, the Humane Society, the county's animal control program, even 4-H clubs were among the resources identified to manage livestock, if necessary.

Because of the abundance of septic systems in flood plains, the group also discussed potential water supply contamination issues that could result from flooding.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com