The wait is over for Montana communities to receive funds to fix infrastructure affected by the extreme weather in December 2025 that caused flooding and severe wind damage.

According to an April 10 press release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Pres. Donald Trump recently signed the requests for Major Disaster Declaration status that will free up money to help with cleanup and repair work.

The declaration is critical for local communities because it frees up federal resources, including money to reimburse households, rebuild infrastructure and invest in preventive action in anticipation of future weather-related disasters.

South Lincoln County suffered from severe flooding during the end of the second week of the month and was followed by extreme wind the following week. In its wake were tens of millions of dollars in damage.

Several bridges and roads were damaged or destroyed. A small diversion dam on Flower Creek was also damaged that at the time threatened the city.

After local, state and federal officials worked to determine damage estimates that exceeded $10 million, Gov. Greg Gianforte submitted a request Jan. 10 to Trump to issue a presidential Major Disaster Declaration. Trump previously OK’d a request for $5 million in December for the emergencies that occurred in Lincoln and Sanders counties and the Blackfeet Nation. 

That helped put personnel on the ground in the affected communities to help local officials navigate the extremely complex process of seeking assistance.

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in Lincoln County.

Lincoln County District 1 Commissioner Brent Teske said in email to The Western News, the funding will help pay for additional projects in the county that may not have been feasible.

"The declaration will allow Lincoln County to continue with infrastructure repair projects and disaster debris removal. Without the declaration the county was not going to be able to fund all the necessary projects," Teske said. "Roads and bridge route restoration has been our priority. We have been working on those projects through disaster reimbursement from the state. Without knowing whether or not we were going to be able to fund debris removal, and now with the declaration being signed, and knowing that we are eligible for FEMA reimbursement, we can begin assessing additional projects that will impact  Lincoln County."

Libby City Administrator Sam Sikes is grateful for the disaster declaration.

"The estimated cost to return the water system to normal operations before the flood will be roughly $2.8 million, including the coffer dam installation/removal and the repair/replacement of the northern wingwall of the diversion dam," Sikes said. "We were estimating needing $1 to $1.5 million of city funding if the declaration was not signed by the President of the United States and the city was in the process of working with the Montana Department of Emergency Services and USDA RD on funding options. The declaration being signed means that the city will retain the funding in the capital improvement and operating reserve funds for future projects and loan repayments. In other words, the city will not be taking the blow to our funds that would take years to rebuild because we are being made whole from the disaster by our fellow Americans, and for that, I am very thankful."

In addition, FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Montana to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and straight-line winds Dec. 17-18.

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and straight-line winds in Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Dawson, Flathead, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Lake, Lincoln, McCone, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Ravalli, Rosebud, Sanders, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Valley and Wheatland counties and the Blackfeet Nation, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Fort Belknap Indian Community, Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and Northern Cheyenne Tribe.

Edwin J. Martin has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.

In the meantime, county officials have worked to move ahead plans for replacing the Keeler Creek bridge.

At the March 18 county commission meeting, District 2 Commissioner Jim Hammons read the award letter to Thompson Contracting, Inc. (TCI) with a bid of $887,473. The motion was approved. 

Planning Director Jesse Haag asked whether the motion to award the bid to TCI will allow for use of a Montana Department of Transportation temporary bridge if one becomes available. It was clarified that the motion is dependent on funding and no funds would be expended if a state-provided bridge is used. 

At the March 25 county commission meeting, Hammons said following prior approval contingent on funding last week, the state agreed to fund the temporary Keeler Creek Bridge. He noted the county will pay upfront costs using PILT funds with reimbursement from the state within a few weeks. Funds will be placed into the emergency fund for project expenses. 

Following a motion by Hammons and a second by District 3 Commissioner Noel Duram, the plan was approved to fund the Keeler Creek temporary bridge out of PILT. District 1 Commissioner Brent Teske was not present.

Previously, Lincoln County Emergency Services Director Boyd White said the bridge was one of the highest priority projects for replacement.

Troy Volunteer Fire Chief DJ Welch, who is also the supervisor of the county road department in District 2, said bids were put out for replacement of the bridge.

Officials are looking at a temporary structure, with a $1 million price tag, or a permanent bridge, a $2 million cost. 

Some questioned why bids were being sought for two structures, but Welch said a temporary structure could be in place sooner.

“We’d prefer to get something done there by June or July for the traffic to use,” Welch said.

Regarding flood damages at the county Port Authority property in Libby, Port Director Jennifer Brown asked the county to sponsor the authority to apply for Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) funding to address flood damage affecting water supply, recreation and industry. 

According to meeting minutes, Jake Ganieany, Montana DES Chief of Recovery and Mitigation, explained that in order for the Port Authority to be eligible for state emergency funding, the county must act as the sponsoring applicant. He noted that current appropriations are available for emergency work related to the December flooding event, including protective measures and temporary repairs, while additional appropriations may be required for permanent repairs. He confirmed that sufficient funding is presently available for identified emergency work. 

Duram made a motion to apply for about $432,000 in state DES funding for the Port Authority, Hammons seconded it and it was approved. 

There was some discussion about questions regarding project scope, transparency and funding timelines. 

Tony Wickum asked how scope, public visibility and progress and expenditures would be tracked. The commissioners and Brown said partnership, public oversight and that updates would be available.