In May 2022, Tim and CJ Wyman thought all might be lost when the Yellowstone River crested its banks, flooding their modest Fromberg neighborhood. 

This 100-year flood event wreaked havoc up and down their quiet street, and if not for a grant from USDA, they might have had to abandon their home of more than 15 years.

“We saw cars, trailers, and cattle sheds floating in the river, and I felt bad for the farmers and ranchers because it tore down fences and their cattle were everywhere,” said Tim.

The historic flood damaged homes and structures in six southwestern Montana counties – Carbon, Park, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, and Yellowstone.

Tim recalls piles of debris from damaged homes lined the street, and said cleanup was understandably challenging. He and CJ lived off-site in their camper for nearly two weeks after the flood.

The Wyman’s home endured significant damage; floodwaters filled their basement and left behind more than two feet of mud, silt, and lingering water. The residue destroyed their furnace and hot water heater, creating a potential health hazard - mold – when the basement moisture permeated upward. It settled in insulation, sub flooring, and floor joists on the first story of their ranch-style home. 

They knew they had to do something, but repairs to make their home safe again proved costly.

After looking for help for more than a year after the flood, a neighbor told Tim about USDA Rural Development’s Single Family Housing Disaster Repair Grant program, designed specifically to help eligible homeowners in Presidentially declared disaster areas.  

Tim and CJ connected with the Billings-based USDA Rural Development Housing team, which helped them secure a disaster grant to offset the cost of a new furnace and hot water heater. They then worked with a local contractor to repair the home’s subflooring, flooring, and laminate.  

“We used a local contractor because we wanted to work with someone, we were familiar with and put them to work,” Tim said. “It was a lot of money, and if we didn’t get the grant, we might have had to make repairs over three to four years instead of all at once.”

More than a year after the flood and their exhaustive search for assistance, work was finally completed on Tim and CJ’s home this past fall.

“A lot of people don’t reach out because of the paperwork, but you have to buckle down and get it done,” said Tim. “When your back is against the wall, sometimes you have to reach out for a little help.”