"While flooding continues across Montana, disaster-stricken communities can count on federal aid to repair what the deluge damages.

President Barack Obama on Friday answered Montana’s request by declaring the state a disaster area eligible for federal reimbursement of public costs of emergency response and repair. The presidential declaration is in response to letters sent June 1 and June 9 by Gov. Brian Schweitzer. He issued an executive order on June 6 proclaiming a statewide disaster “due to the overwhelming severity of the continual flooding across the state.”

The declaration specifically covers 22 counties, including Yellowstone and all its neighbors, along with the Crow, Fort Belknap, Northern Cheyenne and Rocky Boy’s reservations."

Get the Story:
Gazette opinion: Federal funds offer welcome relief to flooded state (The Billings Gazette 6/21)

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