Cool nights helping reduce danger in much of region

Flooding has crept into this part of north-central Montana in a year of record snowstorms, with National Weather Service issuing a flood advisory for Chouteau County through 4 this afternoon, but officials in Hill and Blaine counties saying no major issues from flooding have arisen so far.

The Weather Service advisory says that Disaster and Emergency Services continues to report minor flooding with water over some rural roadways, making some impassable. That includes Promise Land Road, Antelope Lake Road, Brady Road and Clear Lake Road, the advisory says, noting that other roads also could be flooded.

The advisory warns people not to drive on flooded roads, adding that most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Haley Velk, Blaine County Disaster and Emergency Services coordinator said she had not received a full report at the time the Havre Daily News contacted her, but previous reports indicated Clear Creek and Snake Creek were running high, including Clear Creek at or near the flood stage.

She said she had not received reports of any major flooding issues as of this morning.

The county would continue to monitor the situation, she said.

Hill County DES Coordinator Dave Sheppard said Hill County was being helped by the recent weather.

“We are holding our own right now,” he said. “ … We have been fortunate that temperatures are dropping at night.”

He also said officials will continue to monitor the flood danger, adding that flooding always is a potential danger this time of year.

The weather in this part of the state may continue to help reduce the risk of severe flooding.

Lows are expected to drop below freezing — and even to single digits and possibly below zero this weekend — for the next 10 days in the Weather Channel forecast.

Highs are expected to hit the low- to mid-40s Tuesday, with a chance of afternoon rain showers, dropping back into the 30s for the next few days.

Then the weather again is expected to turn colder and even snowy once again, with highs in the 20s and even expected to stay in the teens Saturday and a chance of snow showers from Wednesday through Saturday.

Highs are expected to be back in the 30s next week, but forecasters predict the lows to stay below freezing.