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Flooding Closes Highways Along Rocky Mountain Front

Flooding in Augusta, MT, June 19, 2018.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office.
Flooding in Augusta, MT, June 19, 2018.

Heavy rain falling along the Rocky Mountain Front over the last several days has triggered flooding and road closures in and around the town of Augusta, and closed all the roads into the town.

Lewis and Clark County officials say U.S. Highway 89 both north and south of Augusta, Highway 21 east of town, and Highway 287 north and south have all been closed today due to flooding from Elk Creek.

Meanwhile, residents of the Sun River Valley east of Augusta were warned to expect the Sun River to flood, threatening homes near Simms and likely closing U.S. Highway 200 later this evening.

Rains have also resulted in minor flooding in the Tower and Kehrwald street areas in Missoula.

Bob Nester is with the National Weather Service.

“What we kind of have now is probably what we’ll have for the rest of the week, perhaps a little more today and tomorrow, but it should subside to what we currently have now,” Nester says.

Nester expects the Clark Fork River to crest at 9 feet tomorrow, which is below the 10 foot flood level.

High waters also trapped a horseback party in the Scapegoat Wilderness southwest of Augusta. Members of the party were rescued by Two Bear Air helicopter this morning.

Beau is a former Morning Edition host and producer and engineer for the MTPR program "Capitol Talk." He worked as a reporter, and hosted Freeforms once a month.
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