Flooding Potential Increases With Recent Snow Fall

Local Valley County officials gathered at the National Weather Service in Glasgow on March 17 to learn about the potential of flooding throughout the county. According to meteorologist in charge Patrick Gilchrist, there is now a 98 percent chance of minor flooding on the Milk River at Glasgow, 65 percent chance of moderate flooding and 20 percent chance of major flooding.

“A lot has changed since the first of the month. We went from a feeling that we were in pretty good shape overall to deal with any spring melt. There was some potential for minor flooding to now it looks like minor flooding is a foregone conclusion,” stated Gilchrist. In addition to concerns of flooding at the Milk River, officials and the National Weather Service are also looking at flooding on Frenchman Creek, Rock Creek, Willow Creek and Beaver Creek.

Gilchrist recommends for everyone to start preparing now for the potential of flooding, especially those who have huge snow drifts in the yards and those who live near the Milk River and creeks. “There’s a lot of snow drifts right up against people’s houses. I would love to encourage people to check their sump pumps now, check their drainage systems and get ready for when that thaw occurs because certainly some people are going to have water in their basements as a result of the spring thaw. People just need to start getting ready,” stressed Gilchrist. He also recommends those who live across the 6th Avenue bridge to start thinking about a plan, such as where to stay in order to get to work and overall how to be able to access town since there is no easy access when the bridge does flood.

As of March 19, only 60 inches of snow has fallen, compared to double that amount in the historic 2011 season. However, since March 1st, the area has seen close to 20 inches of snow, and at this point in the month, this March is already the third snowiest March on record, with only a couple of inches of snow needing to fall to make it the second snowiest March on record. Another weather system will be moving into the area this week, which could bring an additional two to three inches of snow to the Glasgow area, making it possible the ranking can be moved up before month end.

When looking ahead over the next month, temperatures are expected to be within normal range which has Gilchrist concerned for a faster than normal thaw of all the snow. “Climatically, we are seeing below-normal temperatures. Our normal high for this time of year is 44 and the low is about 24. We’re not reaching that. With those kinds of temperatures, we would get warm during the day, we would melt off some of the snow and then at night, we would be blow freezing and stop the flowing,” he explained. Since these types of temperatures are not being seen currently, there is the potential for temperatures to get warmer faster, which would cause the fast thaw of what is on the ground.

One benefit of all of this snow is the much needed moisture it will bring to the area once spring and summer seasons arrive. According to Gilchrist, the latest Drought Outlook show definite improvement across eastern Montana. As of March 17, the snow water equivalent is now up to four to six inches in some locations in Valley and Phillips counties.

“We just want people to be ready. That’s what it’s all about right now. It’s all about getting ready,” stressed Gilchrist.