Gov. Greg Gianforte is out of the country on a “long-planned personal trip” as historic floods shut down Yellowstone National Park and flooded communities in southern Montana indefinitely, his office confirmed on Wednesday.
Janforte, a Republican elected in 2020, left Montana last week for a personal walk with his wife, Susan, before the Yellowstone River swelled on Monday and isolated entire communities in Park, Carbon and Stilwater counties, Montana Free Press reported.
But a spokeswoman declined to say when Gianforte, 61, would return to Treasure State or where he and his wife had gone, according to the report.
“The governor is returning early and as soon as possible,” spokesman Brooke Stroke said in a statement.
Gianforte has been active on Twitter since the floods began, declaring a nationwide disaster on Tuesday to “help affected communities get back on their feet” as soon as possible.
A house sits in Rock Creek after floods took away a road and bridge in Red Lodge, Montana, on Wednesday. The AP family cleared their flooded home in Red Lodge, Montana, Wednesday, June 15, 2022. AP.
“In addition to declaring disaster across the state, we are pursuing an accelerated presidential declaration of disaster to help cover the costs facing communities,” the governor later tweeted.
Weakening floods in some parts of Montana have revealed major damage, while rivers are expected to rise again in the coming days as a heat wave is expected, according to the Helena Independent Record.
Gianforte’s whereabouts led to speculation after the state’s disaster declaration was signed by Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras. His absence drew criticism from Montana Democrats.
Gianforte left the state on a personal trip last week. Getty Images
“At a time of unprecedented disaster and economic uncertainty, Gianforte was deliberately keeping Montana residents unaware of their whereabouts and who was actually responsible,” said Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “Again, we ask, where in the world is Governor Gianforte?”
A professor of public administration at Montana State University agreed, saying Gianforte’s trip could not have come at a worse time.
“The fact that [the flooding] “It’s so extreme, and his office was just pretty rebellious about where he was and what was going on. It’s not great,” Professor Eric Austin told Montana Free Press.
The public official may have legitimate reasons to keep his location private during an international trip, but said optics are not good during a natural disaster.
“Understanding this doesn’t help,” Austin said at the exit.
Wednesday’s statement said Gianforte had been “regularly informed” of the flood response following the activation of the State Emergency Coordination Council on Monday, NBC Montana reported.
“He remains in close communication with state and local officials and will continue to share updates,” the statement added. “Currently, the main priority of the governor and the state remains the evacuation to dangerous areas, providing shelter for displaced residents and the safe restoration of water and electricity.
A message for further comment from Stroyke was not returned immediately early Thursday.
Meanwhile, several Twitter users called the Republican governor in response to his latest tweet late Wednesday.
“Where are you writing this from, Greg?” one reading. Where are you when Montana needs leadership?
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