After a very cold winter resulting in area rivers, streams and creeks freezing, early March began with some heavy snow followed by a rapid warm-up. This warm-up resulted in snowmelt and ice-jam flooding over area rivers, creeks and streams that continued into the middle of the month. While many areas experienced flooding, the locations that were most impacted by flooding included Park County, areas along the Musselshell River, areas around Pryor Creek, and the Otter Creek area in Rosebud County. Common impacts from the flooding included water over roadways and low-land flooding. There were also other areas that experienced flooding but impacts were minor.
The following were the major impacts from the flooding:
- Gov. Steve Bullock declared a flood emergency for the state entire state due to heavy snowfall combined with warm temperatures causing rapid snow melt.
- The city of Livingston and Park County declared a state of emergency as officials responded to runoff flooding that started on Livingstons's north side. Some evacuations of residents occurred.
- The Montana Red Cross opened a shelter in Livingston for residents, who were evacuated from their homes due to flooding. The areas that experienced the most flooding were Livingston Ditch and Fleshman Creek.
- The city of Livingston declared a state of emergency. Temperatures quickly went from the below zero into the 40s which resulted in rapid snowmelt on the upper regions around Livingston. Fleshman Creek overflowed near Park Street resulting in about 70 people being evacuated from their homes. The Livingston Irrigation Ditch also overflowed in several places.
Elsewhere, a helicopter was used for a flood rescue in Carbon County. An ice jam broke on the Clarks Fork River causing a massive flood resulting in a helicopter rescue of several people that were trapped by rising floodwaters. At least three people were safely rescued with no injuries. The rescue took place in an area near Byam Road and Highway 212.
Significant impacts from flooding also occurred in the Ashland area in Rosebud County. Otter Creek washed out part of the East Tongue River Road just east of the Ashland Airport. Ice jams and snow melt caused the flooding, which took out three culverts and the dirt under the road. Crews added a walking bridge but flood waters washed that away. An old railroad car was put in place to use as a temporary bridge. Water also flooded nearby homes.

Flood in YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 10:00:00 to 09-MAR-14 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: HUNTLEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Some low land flooding occurred across portions of Pryor Creek between the town of Pryor and the Interstate 90 bridge. Low land flooding was also reported along portions of Pryor Creek between the town of Pryor and its confluence with the Yellowstone River at Huntley.

Flood in MUSSELSHELL, MONTANA
From 07-MAR-14 07:00:00 to 07-MAR-14 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: ROUNDUP ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

County officials reported low land and small stream flooding impacting portions of Musselshell County...mainly small creeks emerging from the Snowy and Bull Mountains.

Flood in POWDER RIVER, MONTANA
From 08-MAR-14 12:00:00 to 09-MAR-14 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: BIDDLE
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials reported that a large ice jam formed on the Powder River about 13 miles southwest of Broadus. As a result, high water levels and some low land flooding occurred on portions of the Powder and Little Powder Rivers south of Broadus.

Flood in PARK, MONTANA
From 05-MAR-14 17:00:00 to 14-MAR-14 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: MISSION
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported snow melt caused some minor flooding in Livingston over area roads including Old Clyde Park Road and roads in the northwest part of town. Flooding was also reported around a residence on Highway 10.  In addition, flooding was reported in Emigrant on Old Yellowstone Trail and on Eight Mile Creek Road.

Flood in BIG HORN, MONTANA
From 07-MAR-14 14:00:00 to 11-MAR-14 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: PRYOR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Low land flooding occurred near Wyola as some houses were flooded.

Flood in CARBON, MONTANA
From 07-MAR-14 14:00:00 to 11-MAR-14 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: EDGAR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Some roads were closed due to high water. In addition, ice jam flooding occurred along the Clarks Fork between Bridger and Edgar.

Flood in STILLWATER, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 14:00:00 to 07-MAR-14 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: RAPELJE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported that small stream and low land flooding occurred across the area. Water flowed over Highway 12 near Two Dot and Highway 191 between Harlowton and Judith Gap. Water also flowed across some of the roads along the Beartooth Foothills south of Reed Point and Columbus.

Flood in WHEATLAND, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 14:00:00 to 07-MAR-14 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: WINNECOOK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported that small stream and low land flooding occurred across the area. Water was reported to be flowing over Highway 12 near Two Dot and Highway 191 between Harlowton and Judith Gap. Water also flowed across some of the roads along the Beartooth Foothills south of Reed Point and Columbus.

Flood in SWEET GRASS, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 14:00:00 to 07-MAR-14 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: MELVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported that small stream and low land flooding occurred across the area. Water was reported to be flowing over Highway 12 near Two Dot and Highway 191 between Harlowton and Judith Gap. Water also flowed across some of the roads along the Beartooth Foothills south of Reed Point and Columbus.

Flood in STILLWATER, MONTANA
From 09-MAR-14 18:00:00 to 11-MAR-14 13:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: ABSAROKEE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials reported that some streams and creeks were running high, and in some areas, water was running over roadways and flooding fields. Some roads became impassable.

Flood in SWEET GRASS, MONTANA
From 09-MAR-14 18:00:00 to 11-MAR-14 13:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: GREYCLIFF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials reported that some streams and creeks were running high, and in some areas, water was running over roadways and flooding fields. Some roads became impassable.

Flood in YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA
From 09-MAR-14 18:00:00 to 11-MAR-14 13:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: SPURLING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials reported that some streams and creeks were running high, and in some areas, water was running over roadways and flooding fields. Some roads became impassable.

Flood in ROSEBUD, MONTANA
From 08-MAR-14 14:45:00 to 13-MAR-14 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: VANANDA
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Flooding as a result of an ice jam on the Yellowstone River was reported a few miles east of Hysham along Gibson and Van Olsen Roads. Some farm structures were damaged by the high water.

Flood in CUSTER, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 11:00:00 to 12-MAR-14 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: FT KEOGH
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An ice jam developed along the Tongue River near the Pacific Street and Main Street Bridges in Miles City. As a result, low land flooding occurred along the Tongue River from 12 Mile Dam to its confluence with the Yellowstone River.

Flood in GOLDEN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 07-MAR-14 13:28:00 to 14-MAR-14 13:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: BARBER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported significant flooding of streams and low lying areas across the area. The combination of rapid snow melt and ice resulted in high water levels along the Musselshell River from Harlowton to Shawmut...Ryegate and Lavina. In addition, some county roads were reported to be impassable.

Flood in WHEATLAND, MONTANA
From 07-MAR-14 13:28:00 to 14-MAR-14 13:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: (3HT)HARLOWTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported significant flooding of streams and low lying areas across the area. The combination of rapid snow melt and ice resulted in high water levels along the Musselshell River from Harlowton to Shawmut...Ryegate and Lavina. In addition, some county roads were reported to be impassable.

Flood in MUSSELSHELL, MONTANA
From 07-MAR-14 13:28:00 to 14-MAR-14 13:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: ELSO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported significant flooding of streams and low lying areas across the area. The combination of rapid snow melt and ice resulted in high water levels along the Musselshell River from Harlowton to Shawmut...Ryegate and Lavina. In addition, some county roads were reported to be impassable.

Flood in BIG HORN, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 15:00:00 to 07-MAR-14 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: CORINTH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported small stream and low land flooding. Numerous roads and some highways were reported to have water flowing across them.

Flood in ROSEBUD, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 15:00:00 to 07-MAR-14 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: SUMATRA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported small stream and low land flooding. Numerous roads and some highways were reported to have water flowing across them.

Flood in CARBON, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 15:00:00 to 07-MAR-14 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: MASON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported small stream and low land flooding. Numerous roads and some highways were reported to have water flowing across them.

Flood in TREASURE, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 15:00:00 to 07-MAR-14 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: BIGHORN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported small stream and low land flooding. Numerous roads and some highways were reported to have water flowing across them.

Flood in POWDER RIVER, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 15:00:00 to 07-MAR-14 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: OTTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported small stream and low land flooding. Numerous roads and some highways were reported to have water flowing across them.

Flood in CARTER, MONTANA
From 09-MAR-14 23:59:00 to 15-MAR-14 18:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: ALZADA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Little Missouri River was reported to be out of its banks causing minor flooding across low-lying areas from near Alzada to Albion and Capitol.

Flood in GOLDEN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 06-MAR-14 15:00:00 to 07-MAR-14 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: WALLUM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

County officials and the Montana Department of Transportation reported small stream and low land flooding. Numerous roads and some highways were reported to have water flowing across them. The Montana Department of Transportation reported that Secondary 300 South of Ryegate off Highway 12 was closed because the bridge had washed away from the road.

Flood in TREASURE, MONTANA
From 08-MAR-14 14:45:00 to 13-MAR-14 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: HYSHAM
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Flooding as a result of an ice jam on the Yellowstone River was reported a few miles east of Hysham along Gibson and Van Olsen Roads. Some farm structures were damaged by the high water.