Blackfeet Nation Disaster and Emergency Services is advising people to stay off roadways during a blizzard that’s hit the reservation carrying what’s described as “hurricane force winds” and white-out conditions.
Several major roadways, including Highway 89 north and south of Browning, are closed due to poor visibility and wind-blown snow drifts. U.S. Highway 2 is open but experiencing severe driving conditions. Conditions are expected to worsen tonight.
Authorities are urging people, especially in outlier communities, to check on neighbors and alert Blackfeet Law Enforcement to request welfare checks.
The United Methodist Church has opened an emergency shelter at its annex in Browning.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning that could carry wind gusts of 75 miles per hour for the Blackfeet Reservation and the northern Rocky Mountain front now through 6 a.m. Saturday. The Weather Service says travel will be dangerous to impassable.
