Missoula County officials offer info in wake of Wednesday's storm

UPDATE: 1:05 P.M. - July 25, 2024

Residents with non-emergency questions in the wake of Wednesday's storm can call 406-258-INFO (4636).

Updates are also available at missoula.co/storm and on the Missoula County's social media pages.

People should continue to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

(second report: 10:48 a.m. - July 25, 2024)

In an update, Missoula County officials are telling people to stay away from rivers and streams due to downed powerlines.

"County and city officials are receiving reports of downed powerlines in area streams and rivers that could be energizing the water. Residents should absolutely not recreate in or around the water until further notice, a news release states.

• RELATED: FWP: Don't float Bitterroot River from Lolo to Missoula due to downed power lines
• RELATED: Mountain Line service disrupted following storm

WATCH: Missoula Deputy DES Coordinator Nick Holloway provides an update on the aftermath of last night's storms.

(first report: 10:07 a.m. - July 25, 2024)

Missoula County officials provided an update on Thursday morning as cleanup from Wednesday evening's storms continues.

• PHOTOS: Western Montana storm damage

There are still a number of power outages impacting Missoula. The Red Cross is at the Missoula Elections Center on Russell Street for people who are without power
WATCH: Dani Hallows details the aftermath of the storm in Missoula

Below is information provided by Missoula County:

• With many people without power and power lines still down, please check on your neighbors to make sure they're OK, especially if they're elderly. 9-1-1 is busy taking many calls, and if you're able to help your neighbors, this can relieve the pressure off our emergency communications and dispatchers. 
  
• The Red Cross is staffing the Elections Center, 140 N. Russell St., for residents who need to charge essential personal devices. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to provide electricity, air conditioning, a shower (bring towels) for people who otherwise don't have these services. No medical services will be available. 
  
• Please conserve water. With power still out in many areas, the City and County are still using backup generators to move water around. 
  
• Many traffic signals in the Missoula area are still not functioning. Remember: treat these intersections as four-way stops, slow down, be patient and watch for emergency traffic. If you don't have to drive today, don't!
  
• Power is still out for much of the area; the utilities that service the area are working to restore it. Do not touch downed power lines. 
  

• County and City Public Works departments are working to clear debris from public streets/roads and other public rights-of-way. Do not call 9-1-1 to report trees blocking the right-of-way. 

  • City residents can call 552-6253 or go to the Form Center on City website.
    
• County and City staff are working to set up locations for residents to drop off debris from their properties. We will provide more information when available. 
  

• Some City and County offices are closed or providing services remotely. People needing to access services should call the specific department before going in. 

  • County phone directory: https://www.missoulacounty.us/directory/telephone-directory or call 406-721-5700.
    
  • City phone directory: Visit 'contact us' section on bottom or City website or call 406-552-6000
    
  • As of right now, the following County offices are closed: Elections, Human Resources, Auditor, Clerk of District Court (District Court itself is open for hearings, and people should attend scheduled court hearings). 
    
  • Closed City offices: Municipal Court (except for jail court).
    
• All County public meetings are fully remote today. Information on how to join remotely, including how to call in, is available online at missoula.co/bccmeetings