Rain causes minor flooding near Lewis and Clark Caverns, Cardwell

Up to 1 inch of rain had caused minor flooding around Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park and Cardwell, and a Flood Advisory remained in effect until 9:45 p.m. Additional rainfall was possible, keeping the threat of wetter roads and slower travel alive in the corridor south of Helena.

Minor flooding was ongoing or expected to begin soon around the state park and the Cardwell area after the afternoon rain. That left anyone driving toward Lewis and Clark Caverns or through Cardwell with a short-term weather problem that could have turned low spots and drainage areas into trouble before nightfall.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, making the advisory especially relevant for anyone planning an evening trip into the park area. The immediate concern was not a major flood event, but minor flooding can still change access, delay plans, and make local travel less predictable when more rain is in the forecast.

Lewis and Clark County Emergency Management keeps flood information and preparedness resources at 316 N. Park Avenue in Helena, and the office can be reached at 406-447-8200. The county also treats flooding as an ongoing risk, and outside flood-risk data from First Street puts Lewis and Clark County at moderate flood risk, with 924 properties facing flood risk over the next 30 years.

For residents and travelers headed toward Lewis and Clark Caverns, Cardwell, or nearby routes, the immediate decision was whether to leave at all before the advisory expired. With additional rainfall possible, conditions could have changed quickly in the same places where water was already collecting.