Waters starting to recede, areas still flooded

Waters are receding in streams, creeks and rivers, although flood warnings have been extended through Tuesday evening and Harlem came close to setting a new record level for the Milk River.

Melting snow throughout the region has forced people from their homes and caused flooding and damage to roads and covered fields and valleys with water.

Harlem was anticipating possibly breaking the 1986 record, when the Milk River hit 25.7 feet, but National Weather Service reports the Milk is anticipated to peak at about 24.5 feet before starting to drop off.

Blaine County Health Department's Facebook page reported this morning that flood waters in the Chinook area are gradually receding but areas will remain flooded as fields and ditches drain back into river and creek banks.

The page says that officials have high confidence that the river will not rise at Harlem and will remain at about 24.5 feet for a couple of days and the the level will start to drop off.

The river had hit 14.14 feet at Havre last Thursday before starting to drop. Weather Service reported it was at 8.19 feet at Havre at 9:15 this morning, below the flood stage of 10 feet.

Big Sandy Creek, which had peaked last week at 14.63 feet, well above the major flood stage of 12 feet, was listed at 7.98 feet this morning, below the flood stage of 8.5 feet.

Hill County Health Department's Facebook page reports that the Hill County Road and Bridge Department is starting to assess roads that have been affected by the flooding and will provide updates on road information when available.