Lincoln County declares emergency after heavy rain, closes roads and a bridge

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve Resolution 2025-35, declaring a local state of emergency after “unprecedented rainfall” and snowmelt led to flooding that washed out roads and at least one bridge, the board said.

The Chair, who opened the emergency meeting and read the resolution text, said the flooding has threatened public safety and that local response and emergency operations were at full capacity. “Lincoln County is experiencing unprecedented rainfall and experiencing severe flooding in some areas with bridges and roads washed out,” the Chair read from the resolution.

The declaration, the board said, invokes Montana Code Annotated authority cited in the resolution (the transcript references both sections 10-3-42 and 10-3-402) and places provisions of the county emergency operations plan into effect. The chair and other speakers said the action will allow the county to activate two mills of funding and pursue state reimbursement for road and bridge damage.

A committee member formally moved to adopt the resolution, saying, “I make a motion that we approve resolution 2025-35.” Another committee member seconded the motion. After a brief discussion of impacts and documentation needs, the board voted; four members voted in favor and one opposed, and the resolution passed.

Commissioners and staff described infrastructure impacts and closures. One speaker reported that a state bridge approach on a farm-to-market road had been washed out and that a vehicle reportedly went into the wash and was carried downstream; the speaker said there was no known loss of life or injury. County roads cited as closed included Granite Cherry, Farm to Market and Libby Fifth Street Extension.

Officials urged residents to avoid driving on flooded roads and told county crews to document damage thoroughly. “If you do get any issues up there and your guys go out, make sure they document and take pictures so we can get reimbursed,” a committee member said, emphasizing the need to record time, fuel, equipment and labor for claims.

The chair said the county has activated its emergency operations center and asked that the approved resolution be sent to county staff contact Boyd so it can be forwarded to the state to trigger additional assistance. The board provided a public phone number for assistance and sandbag locations: 406-293-6295. With no further business, the chair adjourned the meeting.

The declaration is now in effect and county staff will proceed with damage documentation and coordination with the state; officials did not provide a timeline for state reimbursement or a full inventory of damaged infrastructure.