EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION ORDER 2024-01 THUNDERSTORM/WIND EVENT 2024

RESOLUTION NO. 554

A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF STEVENSVILLE, MONTANA EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION ORDER 2024-01 THUNDERSTORM/WIND EVENT 2024

WHEREAS, on August 23, 2024, the Town of Stevensville experienced a severe thunderstorm event, with high wind gusts of at least 26 mph, with reported gusts in surrounding areas of up to 52 mph, lightning strikes, and other storm behaviors.

WHEREAS, this event impacted the Town of Stevensville at approximately 3:30 pm, creating substantial damage to include trees falling in the public streets and on parked vehicles and homes, trees falling on power lines, creating interruption in power services for many po1tions of the Town of Stevensville. The thunderstorm event also exacerbated existing wildland fires and created residential fires, further taxing local volunteer fire services and creating unhealthy air quality.

WHEREAS, severe thunderstorm conditions may continue or reoccur, and the current emergency response and damage cleanup is expected to over-extend or exhaust local volunteer fire suppression and Town public works, and present hazardous working conditions and health risks to responding fire and public safety personnel, thereby threatening lives and property.

WHEREAS, this event has caused damage and continues to threaten the boundaries of the Town of Stevensville as well as the surrounding area.

WHEREAS, under these volatile conditions, Incident Commanders responding to events may need to exercise the powers granted to them through the Ravalli County Emergency Operations Guideline in order to protect lives and properly; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Bob Michalson, the principal executive officer for the Town of Stevensville, in consultation with and upon the recommendation of Fire Chief Jeff Motley of the Stevensville Fire Department, Stevensville Public Works Director Stephen Lassiter, and Erik Hoover, the Director of the Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management, have decided the following response and protective measures are necessary to protect public health, safety and property; and

WHEREAS, MCA 10-3-402 authorizes an emergency proclamation by the principal executive officer of a local government whenever that officer determines there is an emergency; and

WHEREAS, MCA 10-3-404 states that an emergency proclamation by the principal executive officer of a local government shall indicate the nature of the emergency, the area threatened, and the conditions which have brought about the proclamation; mid