Improved snowpack brings with it increased spring flooding concerns

As 2018 rolled into 2019, the dearth of snow in the Upper Blackfoot Valley was raising concerns we might be in for the return of a warm, dry winter.

Around Jan. 20, that concern began to lift as a healthy snow storm rolled in and began more than a month of snow and cold that has seen record February snow falls in many areas. Locally, the recurring storms brought valley snow depths up to a level roughly equivalent with last year. With spring (hopefully) just around the corner, concerns are now turning to the possibility of another year of flooding.

"Now is the time to be preparing and thinking about flooding in the spring, if it ever comes, Zach Muse, the chairman of the Upper Blackfoot Valley Community Council and Lincoln's Fire Chief, said at the abbreviated Lincoln Government Day listening session, March 1.

Muse noted that, unlike last year, Lewis and Clark County won't be in the business of providing sand and sandbags for private residents.

"We've got to take care of ourselves, so just keep that in mind when you're watching the snow melt," he said.

In 2018, Lewis and Clark County provided 173 tons of sand and more than 60 thousand sandbags to county residents impacted by flooding. At an estimated cost of about a dollar per bag, providing sandbags to private citizens put a strain on the county's budget.

"Originally sandbags were given out mostly due to the goodness of the commissioner's hearts," said County Public Works Supervisors Eric Griffin, who addressed the issue in the absence of the commissioners, all of whom were unable to attend. "We do not get reimbursed for sandbags monetarily. Sandbags are available to us basically to protect public infrastructure."

He said they varied from that in the past, notably in 2011 and last year, but said it's time to rein it in and return to that original policy.

Lincoln received several thousand sand bags from the county last year, but Muse said the majority of the sand available here at Hooper Park was actually donated by Stahlnaker Construction.

Although Muse requested that people who picked up sandbags return them to the Fire Department for proper storage so they could be re-used in the future, he said only a few people did so. He said they last a long time if stored properly, but said a lot of the piles of sandbags he saw around the area that weren't returned have likely become unusable since last spring.

Despite the change in the county's policy regarding sandbags, Muse remains optimistic about help being there when needed.

"The whole county steps up big time when flooding happens and I think they'll continue to do that, especially the contracting companies, paving companies, things like that," he said. Last year CAP Paving donated the use of one of their pavingmachines,which proved an indispensable tool for filling sandbags here.Muse said a private individual has already offered to donate sand and sandbags to Lincoln this year, if needed.

In addition to sandbags, Muse said people need to be vigilant about cleaning out their culverts before water starts to rise.

Residents concerned about flooding may also want to look into flood insurance now, rather than waiting. A press release issued at the end of January by Montana Insurance Commissioner Matt Rosendale noted that most homeowner policies don't cover flood insurance, and stand-alone flood insurance policies typically don't take effect until 30 days after they're purchased.

"Waiting until all this snow starts to melt is too late for purchasing flood insurance. Montanans-including those who might not usually experience flooding-need to start planning now," Rosendale said.

According to Rosendale's office, 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from moderate to low risk areas.

According to Rosendale's information, a bill passed by the state legislature in 2015 allows consumers to buy "multi-peril" insurance that can be more affordable and covers floods, landslides and earthquakes. Additionally, some of the policies become effective just 10 days after purchase.