State agencies sound alarm on hazards posed by floodwaters

State officials warned residents this week against coming into contact with floodwaters and recently flooded waterways, citing the risk of dangerous debris, chemicals and bacteria, the latter from released wastewater.

A joint press release issued by the state Department of Environmental Quality, Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Department of Public Health and Human Services listed the Flathead River basin and Missoula County alongside the more heavily damaged Yellowstone River basin as areas where residents should use caution...