Indian Health Service Assists Montana Reservation Following Devastating Flooding

The Indian Health Service has provided more than $1 million in immediate assistance to the Chippewa Cree Tribe for emergency medical care, safe drinking water, and other emergent needs following devastating flooding in June on the tribe’s Rocky Boy Reservation in northern Montana.

“We are assisting the Chippewa Cree Tribe to restore basic services and help the community with medical needs,” said Yvette Roubideaux, M.D., the director of the Indian Health Service.

Flooding caused by heavy rains and additional water from the melting of an unusually large snowpack severely damaged the tribe’s health center, roads, homes, and water supplies. The IHS emergency funding will provide residents with access to needed medical care while the health center’s structural stability is being assessed.

The IHS immediately sent engineers from its Billings Area Office to assess environmental damages and necessary repairs. Additional IHS personnel worked to restore connections to electronic health records, the Internet, and other computer systems. The IHS and Billings Area leadership are in communication with tribal officials on recovery efforts.