What You Need To Know About MT's Rising Threat of Ice Jams

Natural disasters are relatively common here in the Treasure State.

Montana has most natural disasters covered, from wildfires to extreme weather, flooding, earthquakes, and geothermal eruptions.

However, one particular natural disaster is more common in Montana than just about any other state in the nation.

That natural disaster is ice jams!

Ice Jams in Montana

Believe it or not, Montana has the most reported ice jams in the lower 48.

Ice jams generally happen after a deep freeze has blanketed an area for quite some time.

As the temperatures climb, that thick ice begins to thaw.

As the ice thaws, it breaks apart and tries to flow down the river, but the large chunks of ice begin to build up and damn the water.

The backed-up water generally causes widespread flooding behind the ice jam.

As if flooding wasn't bad enough, if these ice jams break loose, they can cause significant damage to anything in their path.

Generally, anything in the path of an ice jam will be destroyed.

I've witnessed bridges taken out, trees ripped from their roots, and buildings flattened by ice jams.

Ice Jam Safety

If you live along a river, prepare for ice jams!

They are most common on windy and tight rivers but can happen even on larger bodies of water.

Unfortunately, there is no way to stop or slow an ice jam.

Your best bet is to get out of its path and reach higher ground.

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