Flooding

Flood waters have swallowed swaths of Montana farmland and other low lying areas as authorities contend with rising creeks and rivers in the eastern part of the state.

The deluge prompted officials to close a roughly 70-mile stretch of Interstate 90 between Hardin and Ranchester, Wyo.

The storm that dumped nearly 6 inches of rain on parts of eastern Montana since Thursday had begun to move out of the area, but snowmelt runoff is working its way through streams and into larger rivers.

Billings meteorologist Keith Meier says the Yellowstone River at Miles City is expected to crest about 3 feet above flood stage on Monday. He says the Bighorn River, Little Bighorn River and Tongue River are all approaching or above flood stage.

The Billings Gazette reports streets in the community of Lodge Grass, near the Wyoming state line, are covered by 4 feet of water that also flooded the town's only grocery store and post office, as well as eight homes.

Story from The Associated Press