The extent of destruction as nearby communities analyze the economic effect

• Billings, Montana, officials reopened its water plant on Thursday.
• However, the facility closed after the Yellowstone River reached record-high levels.

As the floods retreated from historic flooding in Yellowstone National Park on Thursday, neighboring communities assessed the damage and destruction and braced for the potential economic ramifications.

Billings, Montana, officials reopened its water plant on Thursday after encouraging people to conserve water due to a restricted supply after the Yellowstone River reached record high levels, forcing the facility to close.

The 110,000-person city ceased watering parks and boulevards, and the fire department refilled its trucks with river water. People facing damage and destruction because of floods.

Meanwhile, floodwaters continued to flow downstream and it’s anticipated to reach Miles City in eastern Montana on Friday morning. Local officials warned that low-lying regions along the river may flood.

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However, the unusual and abrupt floods earlier this week drove all but a dozen of the park’s more than 10,000 visitors away.

As of Wednesday, the Montana National Guard has evacuated 87 individuals from flood-damaged rural communities and a campground.

Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras of Montana issued an emergency disaster declaration on Tuesday and she will meet with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.