Tester schedules 12 staff outreach meetings for flood victims across Montana

Senators representatives will be on hand in flood-affected communities this week

(U.S. SENATE) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester has directed his Montana staff to schedule 12 outreach meetings this week in communities across Montana impacted by severe flooding.

Tester’s representatives will be available to Montanans from Wednesday through Friday to discuss specific needs or access to assistance in the wake of this week’s historic flooding.

Tester’s staff will be available to all Montanans during the following outreach meetings:

BIG HORN COUNTY

Wednesday, May 25
12 – 2 p.m.
Bighorn County Library
419 North Custer Avenue, Hardin
Representatives: Rachel Court and Amy Croover

Wednesday, May 25
3 – 5 p.m.
Little Bighorn College – Library Conference Room
1 Forestry Way, Crow Agency
Representatives: Rachel Court and Amy Croover

BLAINE COUNTY

Wednesday, May 25
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Kills at Night Center, Hays
Representative: Cheryl Ulmer

CARTER COUNTY

Wednesday, May 25
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Carter County Courthouse
Ekalaka
Representative: Penny Zimmerman

CUSTER COUNTY

Thursday, May 26
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
City Hall
1 South 10th Street, Miles City
Representative: Rachel Court

FALLON COUNTY

Wednesday, May 25
10 – 11:30 a.m.
Baker Senior Center
420 W. Montana, Baker
Representative: Penny Zimmerman

FERGUS COUNTY

Wednesday, May 25
1 – 3 p.m.
Lewistown City Library
701 West Main Street, Lewistown
Representative: Robyn Madison

GLACIER COUNTY

Thursday, May 26
3 – 5 p.m.
Courthouse Annex
1210 East Main Street, Cut Bank
Representative: Virginia Sloan

JUDITH BASIN COUNTY

Wednesday, May 25
10 – 11:45 a.m.
Judith Basin County Court House – First Floor Conference Room
31 First Avenue, Stanford
Representative: Robyn Madison

MINERAL COUNTY

Friday, May 27
3 – 5 p.m.
Mineral County Courthouse – Commissioners’ Office
300 River Street, Superior
Representative: Deborah Frandsen

PARK COUNTY

Thursday, May 26
10 – 11 a.m.
Park City-County Building
414 E. Callender Street, Livingston
Representative: Jennifer Madgic

RAVALLI COUNTY

Thursday, May 26
9 – 11 a.m.
County Commissioners’ Office
215 S. 4th Street,  Hamilton
Representative: Deborah Frandsen

Montanans are always welcome to call Tester’s office toll-free at 866-554-4403, or visit any of his 8 field offices across Montana.

Tester’s outreach meetings are a follow-up to a letter he sent Monday to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, asking them to make their staffs “available to state, local and tribal officials so that appropriate resources can be delivered to communities severely hurt by flooding as efficiently as possible.”

Tester’s letter to Secretary Tom Vilsack and FEMA Director Craig Fugate appears below.

Dear Secretary Vilsack and Administrator Fugate:

I appreciate your engagement in the ongoing efforts of Montana state, local and tribal officials to address the severe flooding across our state. FEMA’s quick response in deploying a representative to Montana’s Emergency Operations Center in Helena has been particularly helpful. I trust that further cooperation and ongoing communication will allow us to work together to more quickly and effectively address the needs of Montana communities.

Overflowing rivers continue to wash out roads across the state, while our barns, homes, and businesses are increasingly endangered. The needs are urgent and they are great. On May 20th, the National Weather Service forecast the potential for below average temperatures for much of the state in early June. However, a sudden temperature increase could be problematic, as much of Montana’s snowpack remains in place.

With disaster declarations in 16 counties and four Indian reservations, Montana faces the possibility of extensive flood damage to cities, rural towns and Indian reservations throughout the state, as well as significant crop and livestock loss, and damage to transportation infrastructure. With the possibility of a sudden rise in temperatures exacerbating flooding, it will be important for our offices to remain in close contact, and for your agencies to be prepared to assist communities however you can.

Please keep me informed of your efforts in delivering emergency assistance over the coming days, and of your plans to deliver long term reconstruction assistance. I urge you to continue to make your staffs available to state, local and tribal officials so that appropriate resources can be delivered to communities severely hurt by flooding as efficiently as possible. Your continued engagement and cooperation is of critical importance to the citizens of Montana and the communities that have been affected.

Sincerely,
(s)
Jon Tester