The Sun River at Simms is cresting now and it will be at above moderate flood stage through Thursday; residents can expect minor flooding all weekend.
The National Weather Service in Great Falls says that the river has reached its third-highest crest ever; flood stage is 7.5 feet, and as of Wednesday morning, the river level is 10.7 feet.
The Montana Department of Transportation provided the following updated list of road closures on Wednesday afternoon:
Augusta Area:
- MT-21 – Augusta to Simms – Bridge washed out ½ mile east of Augusta.
- Road closed at Simms. LOCAL ACCESS ONLY.
- US-287 – 1.5 miles south of Augusta to Augusta – Road closed due to flooding.
- Barricades are in place at MM 37 south of Augusta (Elk Creek) – LOCAL ACCESS ONLY.
- US-287 – Augusta to Junction with S-408 – Road is open.
Rogers Pass Area:
MT-200 – Junction with US-89N (MM 140) Sun River “Y” to Junction with S-279 (MM 82.8) – Road closed due to flooding in multiple areas and damaged culvert at MM 95.5 (approximately 5 miles west of junction with S-434) Barricades are in place at the Sun River “Y” and Junction with S-279. Detour in place. LOCAL ACCESS ONLY.
Simms Area:
S-565 – Simms to Fairfield cut across – Road closed at the south (Simms) end due to flooding. (MM 0) Barricades are in place. LOCAL ACCESS ONLY from the northern end.
MT FWP said that the Medicine River Fishing Access Site and the Fort Shaw Fishing Access Site have been closed due to the high water. Both sites have been gated and will remain closed until the Sun River recedes and the area can be cleaned up.
The U.S. Postal Service stated that rising waters have created access issues for four area Post Offices. The following offices will be closed until further notice: Augusta 59410; Sims 59477; Fort Shaw 59477; and Sun River 59483. The mail is not at risk and is being held at the distribution center.
The town of Augusta is continuing to deal with flooding. The town is currently inaccessible as a bridge has washed out less than a mile away on MT-21. Highway 287 is also closed around the town with barricades in place.
Teresa Lane also shared photos with our STORMTracker Weather Team that showed a grizzly bear caught in the flooding near Augusta. Lane stated that the grizzly was stuck, but later made it out of the creek.
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