Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte requested President Joe Biden declare a disaster in Missoula and Powell counties on Wednesday, another step toward getting federal relief for millions in estimated damages.Â
Gov. Greg Gianforte takes questions from reporters while viewing the dumping station for downed trees and branches near Fort Missoula on Thursday afternoon.
The governor’s office said in a letter on Thursday that damages to public infrastructure — including powerlines, roads, and tree removal costs — have exceeded $3.7 million.Â
“The damages this event incurred to trees and electrical systems are extensive, putting a financial burden on the communities and electrical co-ops,” Gianforte wrote. “We fully expect this damage estimate to increase as the recovery process moves forward due to unquantified damages incurred to the University of Montana’s research facilities and fluctuations in debris estimates as drop off piles continue to grow daily.”
The powerful windstorm that blew through Missoula and other western Montana towns on July 24 left downed powerlines in the area’s rivers and trees scattered on streets, yards and homes.Â
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