Flooding Devastates Red Lodge, Montana Community
Flooding in south central Montana has caused significant damage to the small city of Red Lodge and disrupted summer travel plans for tens of thousands of people visiting Yellowstone National Park. The disaster has not only reshaped the livelihoods of Red Lodge residents but has also highlighted the vulnerability of the community in the face of natural disasters.
Unforeseen Flooding
Red Lodge, with a population of under 2,300 according to the 2020 census, had its newly elected mayor, Kristen Cogswell, confronted with the crisis just five and a half months into her term. With a background as a teacher and attorney, Cogswell had been focused on learning the skills necessary to be an effective mayor, but responding to floods was not one she anticipated.
Flooding is not a common occurrence in the region, and Carbon County commissioner Bill Bullock noted that there had never been an event like this in the area. Rock Creek, which runs alongside and through the city, typically rises every spring due to snowmelt from the nearby Beartooth Mountains and Absorka Range.
Cogswell and her husband drove around the city on June 12, trying to assess the water levels and unaware of the impending disaster. However, later that evening, she received a call from a city council member advising her to go to the flooding site. As the situation escalated, roads began to cave in, and evacuation decisions had to be made hastily.
The sound of boulders crashing into each other in the river was a haunting experience for Cogswell. The force of the floodwaters was relentless, and the city was ill-prepared to handle such a catastrophic event.
A Vulnerable Community
The flooding, declared a disaster by President Biden on June 16, has not completely subsided, leaving Red Lodge residents acutely aware of their vulnerability. The city’s reliance on a single highway, U.S. 212, means that even the closure of a single bridge or road can isolate the community from outside resources.
According to Bullock, the flooding washed away eight to ten public bridges and between twelve and fifteen private bridges, severing vital connections within the city. The destructive force of the water was evident, with residents recounting harrowing experiences of having to escape rapidly rising floodwaters.
Metalsmith Kristin Groener, who has lived in Red Lodge for two years, believes that the combination of recent snowstorms in the mountains, warm weather, and heavy rainfall should have indicated the possibility of heavy flooding. While she acknowledges that it was an abnormal event, she wonders if better anticipation and preparation could have mitigated the impact.
The flooding has led to significant losses for the community. Many residents did not have flood insurance or renter’s insurance, intensifying the financial strain. The destruction of homes and personal belongings has left a broken community grappling with the loss of cherished memories.
Red Lodge was already facing a housing crisis before the floods, with high costs and limited availability. The average rent for a single-bedroom apartment is $1,610, and the median listing home price is $580,000, according to Apartment Home Living and Realtor.com, respectively. The flood could potentially create an opportunity for more affordable housing options.
Cogswell sees the rebuilding process as a chance to incorporate sustainable development and diversify the city’s housing options. The community seeks to become more resilient and better prepared for future natural disasters.
A Long Road to Recovery
Rebuilding Red Lodge requires the economic recovery of the community. The flooding dealt a severe blow to the city’s tourism industry, which is vital for its economy. Red Lodge has historically been a stopover for tourists visiting Yellowstone National Park, but the flooding has disrupted this flow of visitors.
Business owners, like restaurant owner Gena Burghoff, are concerned about the impact on their livelihoods. Burghoff emphasizes the need to generate a certain amount of revenue by the end of September to make it through the winter. The loss of business during the floods has put many establishments at risk of closure.
Despite the challenges, the community is determined to recover. The economic recovery team in Red Lodge aims to promote the city as a destination in its own right, showcasing its celebrated restaurants, the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, and the oldest operating movie theater in the state.
Red Lodge residents want people to not only see that they have survived the floods but also witness their resilience and commitment to rebuilding a better community. Holding scheduled events in the coming months is a testament to their determination and spirit.
The flooding has also brought the community together. Residents have set aside their differences and worked collectively for the betterment of their city. The disaster has replaced faith in society for many, as they witnessed the outpouring of support and assistance from their neighbors.
The road to recovery for Red Lodge will be long and challenging, but with a united community and a resilient spirit, the city is poised to overcome the devastation caused by the floods and emerge stronger than ever.