There were plenty of unsettling back stories to the severe hurricane-force winds that ravaged the Missoula area last week.
As we continue to try to restore, replace and recover, one incident that caught just about everyone’s attention was portions of rivers closed due to power lines laying across the water. If anything should close a portion of a river to the public, that’s probably as good of an example as any.
Today (July 31), Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks tells us that they have lifted the closure on the lower Bitterroot River now that power lines that had been in the water since last week’s storm have been removed. Clark Fork and Blackfoot River closures were lifted earlier this week.
The July 24 severe thunderstorm in the Missoula area caused extensive damage to power lines, trees, and property in the west-central Montana area. The Bitterroot River, from Chief Looking Glass Fishing Access Site to the confluence with the Clark Fork River, had been closed since July 25, and portions of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers were also closed for several days in the aftermath of the storm due to power lines in the water. All storm-related closures on local rivers are now lifted.
Those of you looking to take refuge from the heat in area rivers should still continue to use caution in areas impacted by the storm. Cleanup work continues and there is a chance you could encounter hazards and crews working to clear trees. Local rivers are carrying extra debris right now, creating safety hazards in the water that may not all be visible. Be extra careful and always scout ahead.
Although no storm-related closures remain, fire and drought is still impacting Montana, prompting fishing restrictions and closures and fire restrictions at FWP sites. For the latest on fishing closures, “hoot owl” fishing restrictions, and fire restrictions in the state related to fire and drought, check the restrictions and closures page of the Montana FWP site.
The Aftermath of the Severe Thunderstorm in Missoula, Montana – July 2024
The National Weather Service cited 80 mph winds at the Missoula Montana Airport and over 100 mph winds at the apex of Mount Sentinel. Powerful winds left behind a path of broken trees, downed power lines, failing traffic lights, and debris as far as the eye can see.
Gallery Credit: Ace
LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state
Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA’s State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.
Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.
Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi
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