NW Montana Flooding
Libby and Troy Heavily Impacted
by Maggie Craig
December 12, 2025
A state of emergency was declared by Governor Greg Gianforte around noon on Thursday, December 11, for Lincoln County due to heavy rains and extensive flooding in the Libby and Troy areas. Several roads and bridges in the county have been washed out and the Fisher and Yaak Rivers hit minor flood stage Thursday night.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office on Thursday requested residents to restrict travel, and the department postponed its Shop With a Cop program which was scheduled for Thursday.
An Emergency Operations Center was activated that can be contacted at 406-293-6295. Also, an emergency shelter was set up at the Assembly of God Church, 105 Collins Avenue, for anyone displaced by flooding, and large animals could be taken to J. Neils Park.
Updated road closures and bridge information can be found here.
Several sand bagging stations were set up around Libby and Troy for anyone needing sandbags.
The City of Libby issued a boil order on Thursday for municipal water users due to possible contamination from the flooding. Residents are directed to boil water for at least three minutes before ingesting.
Libby and Troy Public Schools were closed Thursday and Friday.
Observed measurements for the Fisher River recorded the river cresting at 7.67 feet at 9:15 p.m. Thursday night, with minor flood stage designated at 7.5 feet. The official forecast is for flood waters to recede over the next few days.
The Yaak River crested at 11:15 p.m. Thursday night at 8.3 feet with minor flood stage designated at 8 feet. The Yaak River is also receding on Friday.
Governor Greg Gianforte was scheduled to visit Libby on Friday, according to a Facebook post from Representative Tom Millet, but no itinerary was confirmed.
All photos were taken Thursday early afternoon.
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