The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Clark Fork River between East Missoula and Missoula. The warning is in effect from Wednesday evening until further notice.
The river is expected to rise above flood stage by Wednesday evening and continue rising to a crest of a foot above flood levels by Saturday morning.
National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Lukinbeal explains why.
“We had a large rainfall event the last few days. The upper Blackfoot Basin, which feeds the Clark Fork River, has seen anywhere from 3 to 5 inches of precipitation. All of this water is beginning to route downstream.”
Forecasters say another quarter- to half-inch of rain is possible in Missoula through Wednesday.
Minor flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to the river is possible, particularly in the Orchard Homes neighborhood; specifically the north end of Tower Street including Kehrwald Drive.