State of Montana Newsroom
President Trump Approves Governor Gianforte’s Federal Disaster Declarations
Assistance available for December flood and windstorm damage
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced that President Donald J. Trump approved two Major Disaster Declarations for the State of Montana, unlocking federal Public Assistance to help communities recover from the severe flooding and destructive windstorms that impacted the state in December.
The declarations make federal funding available to eligible local governments, tribal nations, and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged infrastructure. This includes roads, bridges, rural electric cooperatives, water control facilities, and other critical community infrastructure across designated counties.
“Many of Montana’s communities are still recovering from the damage left behind by December’s floods and strong winds,” Gov. Gianforte said. “These federal disaster declarations will bring important support to help rebuild damaged roads and bridges, restore rural electric systems, and strengthen the infrastructure Montanans depend on every day. Thank you President Trump.”
In December 2025, the state experienced sustained rainfall and warm temperatures that led to widespread flooding as well as a long-duration, high impact wind event and associated blizzard that resulted in widespread damage. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments conducted by local officials, Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (DES), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed significant infrastructure losses that exceeded federal assistance thresholds. Following the assessments, Gov. Gianforte submitted subsequent requests to President Trump to issue presidential major emergency declarations.
With the requests approved, DES will coordinate with the FEMA to implement the Public Assistance program and support eligible applicants throughout the recovery process.
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