Individuals and businesses are encouraged to report their damage that they incurred during the June 30th hail storm. While it is unknown what assistance may, or may not, be available, people are encouraged to report the damage that ocurred. Determining an estimate on the damage incurred is important for us in determining if we may be eligible for any assistance programs. People are encouraged to submit the following:
- Name
- Address
- Contact Info
- Do you rent or own?
- Do you have insurance?
- What is your deductible?
- What do you estimate the cost of your damage is? (This does not need to be exact, just a guess)
- What was the value of your property before the damage? (This does not need to be exact, just a guess)
- A brief description of the damage
Information on the federal assistance programs are available here.
Many rivers in Gallatin County are currently experiencing increased flows due to the normal spring runoff. Residents are reminded that water levels can change quickly this time of year presenting life safety and property hazards. People, and their children, who are around moving water should use caution and exercise flood safety practices (available here). The current and debris carried in these waterways can present unexpected hazards.
Residents that feel their property may be at risk for flooding should take the necessary precautions ahead of time to protect their property. The change between high water, and water flooding your property, can often occur extremely fast and frequently during the night. It is often to late to protect your property after the flooding has occurred, this should be done before the flooding occurs. If your property is prone to flooding, or you think it might be flooded, you should act before flooding occurs to protect it.
The two most common methods of building dikes to protect from flooding include sandbags or hay bales wrapped in plastic. Sandbags can be obtained from several local hardware/ gravel suppliers in the Bozeman and Belgrade areas. Information on using sandbags is available here.
Information on flooding in Gallatin County, including current river levels, is available at http://www.readygallatin.com/flooding.php.
