UPDATE: July 26 at 8:58 a.m.
First responders are still working to fix the issues created by Wednesday night's storm in Missoula.
The Missoula Police Department said on social media there are a lot of traffic lights out of power due to the outages and they may persist into the weekend.
Northwestern Energy is transffering more resources to assist with fixing the power outages.
According to MPD, officers are busy answering calls associated with crime, disturbances and traffic control, and there are not enough officers to deal with traffic at all lights impacted.
Red Cross of Montana is offering support at the Elections Center in Missoula to community members who need to charge their personal and medical devices, air conditioning and showers.
The center is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and people are asked to bring their own towels and toiletries.
People are asked to remain patient, cooperative and safe during this time.
MISSOULA, Mont. - Missoula County is providing safety updates and resources for residents following Wednesday night's destructive storm in the area.
Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis thanks all Missoula area residents "for your care and consideration as we manage the fallout of the storm that rolled through our area' on Wednesday night, noting many are still without power and managing damage.
"I am incredibly grateful for the emergency responders and public employees who stepped in immediately, have worked day and night, to address safety concerns and coordination with the utility companies to get power up and running as quickly as possible," Mayor Davis said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
She noted children in the area were able to get out and enjoy the Parks and Recreation kids camps on Thursday, despite loss of power and disorganized streets.
The mayor also asked for the community to check in with their neighbors and for anyone with extra resources such as snacks or sandwich supplies to please consider donating to the Poverello Center.
Residents can drop off debris from the storm for free for the next two weeks.
Debris drop-off
Garden City Compost is the primary dump site, so use this site first. Only dump debris in designated areas and follow all on-site instructions.
- Garden City Compost (1125 Clark Fork Lane)
- Fort Missoula (36thStreet lot)
- Larchmont triangle (access of Post Siding Road)
- Playfair Park (west lost, north of ball fields)
- McCormick Park (east lot)
- Fort Missoula Ponds (access via 40thAvenue, open8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bus route changes
Routes 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, and 14 are running normally.
Route 9 is not running today due to road obstacles and downed power lines.
Route 12 is missing the inbound 39th & Barbara stop due to a downed power line. Outbound Route 12 is running normally.
Routes 2 and 3 are detouring to avoid a downed tree and power line on Scott Street and will miss the Scott & Sherwood and Phillips & Scott stops.
Resources and updates
The following is a release from Missoula County:
With many people without power and power lines still down, please check on your neighbors to make sure they're OK, especially if they're elderly. 9-1-1 is busy taking many calls, and if you're able to help your neighbors, this can relieve the pressure off our emergency communications and dispatchers.
The Red Cross is staffing the Elections Center, 140 N. Russell St., for residents who need to charge essential personal devices. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to provide electricity, air conditioning, a shower (bring towels) for people who otherwise don't have these services. No medical services will be available.
Please conserve water. With power still out in many areas, the City and County are still using back-up generators to move water around.
Many traffic signals in the Missoula area are still not functioning. Remember: treat these intersections as four-way stops, slow down, be patient and watch for emergency traffic. If you don't have to drive today, don't!
Power is still out for much of the area; the utilities that service the area are working to restore it. Do not touch downed power lines.
County and City Public Works departments are working to clear debris from public streets/roads and other public rights-of-way. Do not call 9-1-1 to report trees blocking the right-of-way.
City residents can call 552-6253 or go to theForm Center on City website.
County and City staff are working to set up locations for residents to drop off debris from their properties. We will provide more information when available.
Some City and County offices are closed or providing services remotely. People needing to access services should call the specific department before going in.
County phone directory:https://www.missoulacounty.us/directory/telephone-directoryor call 406-721-5700.
City phone directory: Visit 'contact us' section on bottom or City website or call 406-552-6000
As of right now, the following County offices are closed: Elections, Human Resources, Auditor, Clerk of District Court (District Court itself is open for hearings, and people should attend scheduled court hearings).
Closed City offices: Municipal Court (except for jail court).
All County public meetings are fully remote today. Information on how to join remotely, including how to call in, is available online atmissoula.co/bccmeetings
