Four Years Later, Montana’s Still Remembers the Flood of 2022

Four years ago, the state of Montana experienced one of the most devastating floods in state history. Bridges collapsed, roads crumbled, and the landscape in Big Sky Country was changed forever.

The flood on June 13, 2022, is one that Montana residents won't soon forget. Entire communities were caught off guard by a wall of water that filled streets and local businesses. Videos of the damage and homes falling into the Yellowstone River were shared across social media platforms.

The flood closed the North entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, and Main Street in Red Lodge transformed into a rushing river. While the damage from the flood was catastrophic, there was also a positive side. People in Montana stepped up to help each other out.

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When the waters finally receded, Montanans went to work. Musician and part-time Montana resident John Mayer even offered his talents to help out flood victims. He hosted three separate benefit shows at Pine Creek Lodge and raised over $1.5 million for the Southwest Montana Flood Relief Fund.

What Caused the Historic 2022 Flood in Montana?

Heavy rain, rapidly melting snow, and warm spring temperatures filled rivers to the brim and completely overwhelmed local watersheds. The Yellowstone River set an all-time flow record of 54,700 cubic feet per second (CFS), considered a 500-year flood event.

The historic flood of 2022 shattered records across the state, and signs of the damage remain today. Much of the infrastructure has been rebuilt, but it's a day that many of us will never forget. The high water showed the raw power of nature, but the aftermath revealed the unstoppable grit of Montana.