Updated 10:30 a.m. June 14

The Montana National Guard is providing one UH-60 Blackhawk and one CH-47 Chinook, both helicopters, to assist in search and rescue efforts in Roscoe, in Carbon County, and Cooke City, in Park County due to significant flooding in those areas.

The Guard is responding at the request of local government in the affected areas.

Gov. Greg Gianforte declared a statewide disaster on June 14 due to the severe flooding in Carbon, Park and Stillwater counties, as well as flood warnings in other part of the state.

Montana Disaster and Emergency Services continues to support local authorities in those counties, as well as work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on next steps, according to Gianforte’s office.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks closed the Yellowstone River in Park County on June 13 to all recreational use due to public safety risks.

The Montana Department of Transportation is regularly updating road conditions at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/alerts.aspx.

Both Guard helicopters and their aircrews are part of the 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion, based in Helena.

Initial reports are that the Guard helicopters sent to Roscoe and Cooke City on Monday successfully evacuated 12 individuals who were stranded due to flooding.

They are currently responding to a request for search and rescue assistance in the vicinity of East Rosebud Lake, according to the Guard.

Aircrews of the Montana National Guard regularly practice search and rescue missions, including water rescues at Canyon Ferry Lake in August 2021 and cliffside rescues at the Fort Harrison Training Area in June 2022.

Potential further deployments of helicopter and ground support are being examined, according to the Guard.

Flooding has washed out bridges and roads in south eastern and south central Montana, closed Yellowstone National Park and prompted evacuations in some areas. Red Lodge is flooded and Gardiner has been cut off, according to multiple reports.

According to the National Weather Service, rain is bringing the potential for flash flooding and debris flows across and downstream of the Robertson Draw burn area in south central Montana, including Carbon County.