Montana governor seeks disaster declaration

HELENA, Mont. — Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer is asking President Barack Obama to declare a major disaster for the state due to flooding. Schweitzer sent his request today, saying the size and severity of the flooding requires a response beyond the capabilities of state and local governments. Last week, up to 8 inches rain fell in some places caused major flooding in central and eastern Montana. As of today, emergency declarations have been issued in 16 towns and cities, five American Indian reservations and 37 of Montana’s 56 counties. The waters have started to recede, though meteorologists warn rising temperatures mean more flooding in the coming weeks as the mountain snowpack melts. Federal teams plan to conduct a preliminary damage assessment on Thursday.