LIBBY, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today received an incident command briefing from Montana Disaster & Emergency Services (MT DES) and the Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) following severe flooding that occurred yesterday in northwest Montana.
The governor was scheduled to visit Libby to survey the damage and attend the briefing, but inclement weather prevented his in-person attendance, and he instead joined the briefing remotely.
“Continued rainfall across northwest Montana has flooded some of our communities, including the towns of Libby and Troy,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I appreciate the swift response of our State Emergency Coordination Center and local incident management teams and thank those working around the clock to respond and recover. The state stands ready to help.”
During a briefing held by MT DES Northwest District Field Officer Ed Greiberis, Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short, and the incident public information officer, Zach Sherbo, the governor received an update on the timeline of the flooding and the status of recovery. Multiple state agencies are coordinating to respond to the incident.
Since December 8, the Fisher and Yaak Rivers in northwestern Montana have experienced significant rises due to historic rainfall and snowmelt. The Fisher River has risen nearly four feet and was nearing minor flood stage by Thursday afternoon, while the Yaak River has risen roughly five feet, putting it above the eight-foot flood stage.
The public information officer shared that upwards of nine bridges have been compromised in the flooding. He specifically noted the Farm to Market Road Bridge over Libby Creek which sustained damage from rising waters yesterday resulted in its failure. The Montana Department of Transportation reports that the bridge approach has eroded by about 200 feet. Further inspection of damage will be possible when water recedes.
Sherbo also indicated that bridge and road closures have resulted in up to 40-mile detours for some residents in Troy and Libby, and that they are not aware of any lost structures at this time. A boil water order for the City of Libby remains in effect with guidance for residents to boil water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or dishwashing.
Yesterday, Gov. Gianforte issued an executive order declaring a flooding disaster in northwestern Montana to help meet resource and funding needs. Before issuing the order, the governor spoke with Sheriff Short to offer state assistance.
“Thank you for your phone call yesterday. It gave us a boost and had us headed in the right direction,” Sheriff Short said before the briefing.
The governor’s executive order declaring an emergency in northwest Montana may be viewed here. Local first responders in Lincoln County are maintaining a map of current road and bridge closures, it can be viewed here. Finally, the Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center is operating a public information call line for residents at 406-293-6295.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 9-2025
EXECUTIVE ORDER DECLARING A DISASTER TO EXIST
IN THE STATE OF MONTANA
WHEREAS, beginning on December 8, 2025, historic rainfall and snowmelt led to significant
rises in the Fisher and Yaak Rivers in Northwestern Montana. Since December 9th , the Yaak
River near Troy, Montana, has risen roughly five feet, putting it above the eight-foot flood stage,
and the Fisher River near Libby, Montana, has risen nearly four feet and is expected to hit minor
flood stage of 7.6 feet by Thursday afternoon, December 11, 2025; and
WHEREAS, numerous roadways, county and state highways and bridges have been impacted
with several roads being closed or impassable; and
WHEREAS, continued rainfall of 1-4″ across Western and South Central Montana is expected
to continue causing rivers, streams, and tributaries to rise out of their banks, in addition to
causing rapid snowmelt at mid-level and high elevations; and
WHEREAS, Lincoln, Sanders, and Flathead Counties have enacted emergency or disaster
declarations, and activated applicable portions of jurisdictional emergency plans and programs;
and
WHEREAS, several counties, cities, towns, have already reported emergency costs and damage
to critical infrastructure to include roads, bridges, and culverts; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Environmental Quality has issued a “Boil Advisory” for the
town of Libby due to impacts from floodwaters to the city water supply; and
WHEREAS, the State Emergency Coordination Center is activated and is coordinating with
state, local and federal agencies to provide resource and information management support to
affected jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the availability and utilization of all necessary State government services,
equipment, and suppliers under this proclamation will further the efforts to protect the health and
safety and to preserve the lives, property, and resources of the people of the State of Montana;
and
WHEREAS, a proclamation of disaster authorizes the Governor under Section 10-3-311, MCA,
to expend funds from the general fund to meet contingencies and needs arising from these
conditions.
1
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREG GIANFORTE, Governor of the State of Montana, pursuant to
the authority vested in me under the Constitution, and the laws of the State of Montana, Title 10,
Chapter 3, MCA, and other applicable statutes, do hereby declare under § 10 -3- 103 and § 10-3–
303, MCA, that a flooding disaster exists in the State of Montana:
This Order is effective December 11, 2025.
GIVEN under my hand and the GREAT SEAL of
the State of Montana this / /1/,,_ day of
De.c.~6er , 2025.
ATTEST:
CHRISTI JACOBS~tate