The Orchard Homes neighborhood has organized a meeting on Sunday, June 19th at 3:00 p.m. at the Orchard Homes County Life Center. Missoula County Sheriff Carl Ibsen will be on hand to answer questions and distribute packets of information. The packet includes water quality and mosquito control information, damage assessment forms, and contact information for agencies able to provide assistance. The Red Cross will visit areas affected by flooding over the weekend and will provide flood relief kids containing items ranging from rakes and shovels to duct tape and batteries. Cooler temperatures and limited precipitation continue to cause the Clark Fork River to recede.

Projections indicate the Clark Fork will dip below flood stage for a short period this weekend, but will move above flood stage again late Sunday or early Monday morning. County officials continue to check weather forecasts and monitor water levels throughout the county. The receding water gives residents the opportunity to asses their sandbagging efforts to date. Residents are encouraged to evaluate the effectiveness of the sandbags on their property and consult the literature on appropriate sand bag practices distributed by County public works and Sheriff’s office personnel last week.

Public works officials are still available to provide sandbag supplies if necessary Monday through Thursday for county residents engaged in active flood fight. Those requests should be directed to the High Water Information Line at 258-INFO (4363) Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Residents and volunteers in affected areas should be aware that wells and septic systems are at particular risk to contamination and infiltration from flood flows and high groundwater. Residents are encouraged to have their wells tested and septic systems inspected and should contact the Missoula City-County Health Department at 258-4755 for more information. The City-County Health Department also offers information and guidance on managing mosquito populations.

The cool weather is keeping mosquitoes only partially at bay. Warmer weather will bring a burgeoning mosquito population. Residents are encouraged to empty any containers on their property with standing water (e.g., tires, buckets, and plastic swimming pools) and follow other mosquito control measures outlined in the information packet to be distributed on Sunday.

Residents can also call the City-County Health Department for more information. Missoula County and Montana Department of Emergency Services continue to seek federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency with this event. Residents and business affected by flooding are requested to fill out forms estimating damages and economic injury to facilitate that effort. The forms will be included in the packet provided on Sunday. The forms can also be found on the County’s website. Individuals can return completed forms to Rural Fire and Sheriff’s Office personnel or drop them off at the County’s information desk on the 1st floor of the Courthouse Annex.

 Story from Anne Hughes
Communications & Project Manager
Missoula County

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