Disaster Update
Montana – As rains continues to pound the State of Montana and changing weather patterns could bring rapid snow melt and more flooding and evacuations throughout the state later this week, the American Red Cross continues to support the Montanans who have evacuated their homes. For more than a week between 200 and 300 evacuees have been staying at a Red Cross shelter some eighty miles away from their flooded homes.
During a short break in the weather many returned home only to find themselves with damage, broken sewer systems and a lack of potable water. The American Red Cross and our Southern Baptist Association partners have been delivering food and water daily to be distributed to the residents in need who did not evacuation their homes on the badly impacted Crow Nation.
The Crow Nation, situated in southeastern Montana, covers approximately two million acres with more than 11,000 residents spread out over hilly areas sprinkled with dry creek beds that have now become raging streams. The Little Big Horn River, normally a calm stream meandering through the reservation spilled beyond its eight-foot flood level and crested at 12.32 feet, flooding communities, threatening schools and businesses and cutting off roads, causing some rural residents to be stranded, their home an island surrounded by water.
300 residents of communities within and surrounding the Crow Nation, many of them children, fled their homes beginning May 21st. The Billings, Montana community jumped into action ensuring that the American Red Cross had facilities available to them to open shelters for these families. Volunteers jumped into action providing, shelter, food, basic health and mental health services, and support. Currently, over 200 people are still at the shelter at Montana State University.
Posted by amrecro 
