OMAHA, Neb. - Warmer temperatures are leading to flooding in parts of Wyoming and Montana along the Bighorn River, Little Bighorn River, Pryor Creek and tributaries of the Yellowstone River.
In response to requests from the Crow Nation for sandbags, the State of Montana for ice jam technical assistance on the Mussellshell River, and from the State of Wyoming for technical assistance regarding an ice jam and flooding in north-central Wyoming along the Bighorn River, the Omaha District Readiness Branch has activated its Emergency Operations Center to Level II, Emergency Watch Status and is communicating directly with the National Weather Service for updated river stage forecasts.
The Omaha District has provided 5,000 sandbags to the Crow Nation Tribe and has deployed personnel to provide technical assistance to communities along the Big Horn River to include Worland, Manderson, and Greybull, Wyo., where ice jam flooding is occuring.
The Town of Worland has experienced significant flooding in neighborhoods from ice jam flooding. In the town of Manderson, sandbagging crews were able to divert flowing water from an ice jam into the storm sewers. In Greybull, ice and water reached within 3 feet of the Federal levee.
Engineers who have deployed to the area are working with local and State officials as well as the National Guard to Worland, Manderson and Greybull, Wyo.
Additional technical assistance teams are preparing to deploy to the area. As levees and levee systems that fall within the realm of Public Law 84-99 begin to see higher river levels, geotechnical teams will being monitoring the levees for any issues. Among the levees in this program is one in Greybull, Mont., which will be monitored.
The Omaha District EOC remains in contact with affected stakeholders including the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security and the Montana Office of Emergency Management.