The request, signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday, seeks to activate FEMA's Individual Assistance Program, which is part of the Biden Administration's presidential major disaster declaration issued last week.
Individuals and households, disaster case management, crisis counseling and assistance, disaster legal services, disaster unemployment insurance, critical needs assistance, and cleaning and removal assistance are all requested.
"No Montanan should have to go through what our flood-affected neighbors have," Gianforte said in a press release on Thursday. "With access to the Individual Assistance program, Montanans who have lost their homes or property as a result of this disaster will have more resources to recover and rebuild."
Most people, including those who live in flood plains, do not have flood insurance because it is prohibitively expensive. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowner or renter policies. Homes that were damaged in the flooding that hit Montana last week were also located outside of floodplains.
According to the letter to FEMA, a preliminary assessment found 23 majorly damaged or destroyed residences in Carbon County, 53 in Park, and 39 in Stillwater. According to preliminary data, 115 primary residences were either severely damaged or destroyed, "with some completely washed away," according to the letter.
State Insurance Commissioner Troy Downing said in a Wednesday interview that the number of people with flood insurance in those areas was "horrible."
Before the flooding, there were only 18 policies in Red Lodge, and another 58 in unincorporated Carbon County. There were only nine policies in Livingston and 77 in Park County's unincorporated areas. And there were only two policies in Columbus.
"Because the survivors of these floods are particularly vulnerable, the size and scope of the devastation in these communities makes it clear that no amount of insurance is adequate to address the survivors' immediate or long-term needs," the letter states.
Another issue for those who have suffered losses due to flooding is a lack of affordable housing. According to the letter, the cost of a mortgage in Park County averages about 37.7 percent of a household's income, while it is 33.8 percent in Carbon County. Rent costs are comparable financial burdens, and the region's median home value has risen dramatically.
There are also a higher percentage of mobile homes in Carbon County, nearly 15% in Stillwater, and nearly 10% in Park, compared to the rest of the country. According to the letter, there were 686 mobile homes in high flood-risk census tracts, with 441 in Park County, 98 in Stillwater, and 147 in Carbon.
"Due to the physical characteristics of the home, location, social vulnerabilities of residents, and complicated ownership arrangements, mobile home residents have been shown to be disproportionately impacted by disasters," the letter states.
According to the letter, nine major highways in the region have significant damage and are still inaccessible, as well as numerous bridges.
In addition to residential losses, the letter claims that flooding will severely impact the $100 million in labor income associated with Yellowstone National Park.
Travel and tourism account for approximately 39% of all jobs and 26% of all wages in Carbon County. It accounts for 31% of jobs and 26% of wages in Park County. The Stillwater County mine has been completely cut off due to a bridge failure, and alternate routes are under threat due to safety concerns. According to the letter, mining employs more than 40% of the county's workforce, and 1,000 people are out of work.
The flooding has resulted in a "unknown number of injuries" and one confirmed death of a person enjoying high water recreation.