[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 93 (Monday, June 21, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MONTANA DISASTERS

  Mr. BAUCUS. I also rise to call attention to a pair of disasters that 
recently struck Montana and pledge my support for the recovery effort. 
Last week the Big Sandy Creek spilled over its banks and flooded into 
the Lower Box Elder Road and the surrounding area. The flooding 
displaced 30 families at the Rocky Point Boy's Indian Reservation in 
north central Montana.
  As is the tradition in our States, folks with the Chippewa Creek 
Tribe are pulling together to help one another. The Vo-Tech Center in 
Box Elder has been converted to a makeshift home for those left 
homeless by the flooding. The American Red Cross of Montana is 
providing beds and other services at that center. The area is still 
under a stage two flood advisory. I just talked to the chairman of the 
Rocky Boy's about half an hour ago, who told me there have been about 7 
inches of rain there and he had an extremely difficult time with the 
water problems and sewage problems. Homes have been displaced. He has 
never seen anything like it.
  Initial estimates exceed $1 million at this point. I will work with 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service to see that 
Rocky Boy's receives the assistance they need. I might add I will work 
with any agency that is relevant to make sure the people at Rocky Boy's 
Indian Reservation receive the assistance they need.
  Just as folks at Rocky Boy's began assessing damage yesterday 
afternoon, another disaster beset Montana. A tornado with wind speeds 
between 111 and 135 miles an hour crashed into our State's largest 
city--Billings. Folks in Yellowstone County have not seen such a 
destructive twister since 1958.
  The tornado hurled hail the size of golf balls, ripped the roof off 
our sports arena, the Metrapark--that is the largest facility, I might 
add, in Billings, MT. After striking it, it tore through a number of 
nearby small businesses. The tornado left a path of destruction in its 
wake--power outages, flooding in some places up to 2 feet of water. The 
winds damaged at least 10 businesses in Billings: the Main Street 
Casino, a laundromat, a dance studio, Reiter's Marina. The tornado also 
ripped the roof from Fast-Break Auto Glass. The roof was later found in 
a nearby creek. Witnesses saw big pieces of metal hanging from power 
lines near the arena. Insulation and metal debris was thrown far across 
town. One look at these photos gives one a sense of the size of the 
destruction.
  I might add, if you look at the photo to my right, that is what is 
left of the Metra arena, Billings' largest facility. You can see the 
Metra almost entirely destroyed, roof completely gone, walls 
collapsing. I talked to two county commissioners and the mayor today 
and they explained the deep problems they have with reconstructing this 
facility, to say nothing about all the bookings that have been made 
about 2 years in advance that have to be dealt with because of this 
destruction.
  The Metra sports arena is part of the fabric of life in Billings. 
Montanans gathered at the Metra to cheer on the Billings Outlaws, for 
example, an indoor football team. Fans say their home field advantage 
is recognized around the league. The arena also houses the Chase Hawks 
Memorial Rough Stock Rodeo. Lots of events take place in this arena. I 
was there a couple of months ago for a high school graduation. Event 
after event occurs, it seems, around the clock at this arena. It is 
totally destroyed by the tornado.
  The Metra was also visited by American Presidents--President Kennedy, 
President Reagan, President Clinton, and President Bush. It is part of 
our State's history. In Montana we work together to solve problems and 
we will work together through this disaster as well. Yesterday, utility 
crews worked to shut off a gas leak at a commercial strip mall near 
Main Street. Crews were also working to repair downed power lines.
  Yellowstone County requested a state of emergency, requested that 
declaration from our Governor last night. They were given an oral 
declaration and clearly will receive a written declaration today.
  The Montana National Guard has deployed to the area to help keep 
security around the crumbling arena. I am committed to working with 
local officials, the Governor, as well as Senator Tester and 
Congressman Rehberg to coordinate any and all possible Federal 
assistance, coordinating with all Federal agencies to make sure all 
resources are available when requested. I have sent my staff to work 
with local and State officials on the ground to assess the extent of 
the damage and I will be there every step of the way during the 
recovery and rebuilding process.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Billings, particularly 
those injured during the storm and those whose property and homes were 
damaged by the winds.
  Today, business owners are returning to the rubble that once was 
their place of business, their livelihood. Many homeowners are drying 
out as floodwaters recede. They will work hard in the coming days and 
months to make sure every Federal resource is made available to help 
folks in Billings as well as the Rocky Boy's Reservation as they 
recover from these twin disasters. Our officials have done this before 
and nobody can handle this better than the great team we have in 
Montana.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Mississippi.
  Mr. WICKER. I ask unanimous consent Senator Cardin and I be allowed 
to engage in a colloquy for 20 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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