Residents and Volunteers Shore Up Tongue Riverbank

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By Kenneth Wong

Story Published: Jun 5, 2011 at 11:17 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jun 6, 2011 at 12:56 PM MDT

ST. LABRE - High temperature across Southeastern Montana means snow from the mountain is melting fast, and communities along the Tongue River are preparing for a potential 10 feet of water.

Throughout Saturday and Sunday, residents in the town of St. Labre, along with volunteers, have been surrounding the town with sandbags.

"We did this yesterday for 8 hours, straight," said Shelden Burley on Saturday.

Shelden lives in Kalispell, but is spending the summer with his relatives in St. Labre. He, along with dozens of volunteers and townspeople, stood by the riverbank as truckloads of sandbags were driven to the site. Whenever a load comes, the team worked quickly to build a wall out of the sandbags.

"In this little stretch right here, I predict around 200-300 (sandbags)," said Michael Dennis, another volunteer.

St. Labre, along with nearby Ashland, are protected by a levee. The sandbags serve as a second line of defense, should the levees fail.

"We like to be more proactive than reactive," said Pat Dennis, who works with the St. Labre Fire Department, "We want to try and deal with it before it happens."

The town is already under a voluntary evacuation order, and some of the townspeople have already left. A mandatory evacuation plan has also been drafted by town officials. Should the flood inundate St. Labre, townspeople will be evacuated to Lame Deer, about 20 miles away. They hope a mandatory evacuation will not be necessary.

"I've lived here all my life," said one resident, "I'd hate to see a lot of people leave because of the floods."

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The Truth said on Friday, Jun 10 at 10:12 PM

Nearly 700 Crow and Cheyenne students with an $8000/year education for free plus college scholarships. Those horrible white people who donate! What are they thinking? Get off your "bunnis" and be somebody brenna and neighbors.

Ronda said on Monday, Jun 6 at 9:18 PM

That young "fella" from Kalispell was born and raised in Ashland - he is my son. Although our family moved to Kalispell 11 years ago he still considers it home. Many of his family members - including his grandfather - still live there. Yes Friend/Neighbor it is hard to imagine where some come from, especially in times of potential crisis when we all need to help our friends and neighbors.

FRIEND/NEIGHBOR ST LABRE/ASHLAND said on Monday, Jun 6 at 8:59 PM

You people are just ignorant and pathetic. You probably sit in your million dollar house on the hill and count the money in your wallet. At least that fella from Kalispell is not so ignorant. PS. I am not native american but live amonst them and I am proud.

concered tax payer said on Monday, Jun 6 at 5:14 PM

I THINK THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. CAUSE THEY ARE SOVEREIGN NATION.

brenna said on Monday, Jun 6 at 10:17 AM

Why isnt st.labre paying people to fill the sandbags?? They millions of dollars on behalf of the Cheyenne/Crow tribes, and will they be asking for more donations/money?? Will they be publishing a letter to donators from people??

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