Cold Shuts Off Heat In Montana Town

A frozen valve shut down Choteau’s natural gas system Thursday night, leaving shivering residents in emergency shelters and huddled by fireplaces and space heaters as temperatures fell to 30 below zero.

Gov. Marc Racicot declared a state of emergency in Teton County and Choteau, and the Air National Guard rushed large heaters to Choteau from its headquarters in Great Falls.

Montana Power called in 50 emergency workers to repair the damage.