FLOOD INFORMATION
RAVALLI COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT URGES FLOOD PREPAREDNESS.
This information can be obtained by going to www.ravallicounty.mt.gov then clicking on Disaster & Emergency then 2008 Flood Information.
With mountain snowpack averages above normal and weather forecasters predicting temperatures possibly reaching the high 80's into the 90's by the weekend, Ravalli County officials are encouraging local residents to be prepared for rising stream flows if you live in or near a flood prone area.
Local hardware and feed stores have limited stocks of sandbags, empty or filled and sand and gravel contractors can provide sand to your location in order for you to pre-position high water protection on your property. In a flood emergency, Ravalli County crews will take the necessary steps to preserve and protect county infrastructures (roads, bridges, etc.) but do not have the authority or resources to protect private property. RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE DECLARED BY RESOUTION THURSDAY AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION. Ravalli County can now provide sand bags (through the local fire departments) and sand is available at Florence Fire Hall, Stevensville Water Plant, Victor Fire Hall, Corvallis Fire Station #1, Hamilton Airport and at the Ravalli County Bridge and Road Department site-Conner (Sawmill LN). The sand should be used for filling sand bags only, please. Contact information for your local fire departments can be found at www.ravallifirecouncil.org/
RCOEM is compiling a list of volunteers who could assist property owners if emergency sandbagging efforts become necessary. Please call (375-6655) or send email to rnicholas@ravallicounty.mt.gov with your name and contact information if you are willing to volunteer. Volunteers will be responsible for their own transportation arrangements. The contact list will be provided to those requesting assistance.
Additional emergency preparedness information relating to floods can be found at www.floodsmart.gov. Topics include prepare your house, safeguard your possessions and develop a family emergency plan. You can find current weather forecasts and stream flow predictions at the National Weather Service link at www.wrh.noaa.gov/missoula/. Also sandbagging procedures can be found at: