HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Hill County Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to issue a declaration of emergency due to the ongoing drought disaster.
The wording of the declaration was drafted up and finalized following the vote.
“That can open doors for producers and people that are suffering losses from the drought to apply for state and federal programs, to be eligible for it,” said Commissioner Mark Peterson
Peterson said the decision came after a lengthy conversation with Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Amanda Frickel, who provided information on the extreme impacts that are being felt.
“The Governor and the state are reconvening on June9th, they needed more data collection across the state … We are not expected to get much more (precipitation) to make that move (to improve drought conditions),” said Frickel. “That would put us in D4 (Exceptional Drought, the highest level), which would put us in drought for more than eight consecutive weeks. I’m not sure what the Governor’s office is going to decide at their next meeting, but I do plan on attending that via Zoom.”
Frickel says they are waiting for more information to let them know all the different avenues and agencies that will be able to assist people in their losses due to the drought.
More programs may become available as the drought progresses, according to Peterson.
“This just opens the door part way, that may open quite a bit more over the next weeks and months,” said Peterson.
Peterson says they have not yet decided whether to enact an emergency two-mill levy to help with disaster related costs.
Those seeking assistance due to drought-related losses should contact the County FSA office.
“Losses come in many ways. We have the livestock people that have sold animals, shipped them out of the area, shipped them out of state. They had to buy high priced hay last fall. You have the farming community that they are probably not going to get much of a crop next year. So they’ll have some programs that likely will come about, the state FSA, and other programs that may be brought forth by the Governor, if he so chooses,” said Peterson.
Peterson says since Hill County has declared a disaster, the adjoining counties of Blaine, Liberty, and Chouteau can take and participate in any programs that Hill County is privileged to by making the declaration.
The declaration is not for municipalities, as they have to declare an emergency on their own.
No fire restrictions are currently in place in Hill County, but Frickel says discussions on whether to implement them will occur in the coming days.
This post has been updated following the finalization of the declaration
