President Joe Biden has declared the catastrophic flooding in Montana a major disaster following requests from the state’s governor and congressional delegation.
A disaster declaration opens up more federal aid as Montana recovers from the damages caused by flooding. The state Department of Transportation is estimating $29 million in damage just to roads and bridges, according to the governor’s office.
Yellowstone National Park is closed due the flooding, which is expected to significantly impact regional tourism.
Gov. Greg Gianforte formally requested the federal declaration on Wednesday. The governor had been traveling since late last week and arrived back in Montana Thursday evening, according to his office.
"The governor departed early Saturday morning to Italy with his wife for a long-planned personal, private trip," spokeswoman Brooke Stroyke said in an email Friday. "When severe flooding struck, the governor delegated his authority to respond to the disaster to Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras with whom he worked closely over the last four days to take swift, decisive action."
Gianforte joined members of Montana's congressional delegation on Friday for a tour of the damage to Yellowstone National Park and the neighboring town of Gardiner.
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