During the weekend of March 2-3, The LIFTT office at 1201 Grand Avenue in Billings experienced an unfortunate turn of events: an old toilet and pipe broke, causing substantial flooding.
The water damage has rendered all particle-board furniture, including desks and other items, unusable. Efforts are underway to assess the damage and possible loss of supplies and equipment. AmeriClean, a local disaster remediation company, continues working with LIFTT on salvage and recovery operations.
The flooding incident is a temporary obstacle for LIFTT, which has been preparing to leave the rented space on Grand Avenue and make a monumental move to a new building. The facility at 1241 Crawford Drive, slated for an April 2024 grand opening, is still undergoing electrical renovations and is not ready for immediate occupancy.
Carlos Ramalho, Executive Director of LIFTT, expressed regret over the interruption of services but remains optimistic about the future. “While this flooding incident is a significant challenge, we are resilient and committed to restoring services and getting up and running in our new building as quickly as possible,” said Ramalho.
Billings office closed until further notice; flood recovery fund set up
While the Billings office is closed to the public until further notice, Billings-based team members may be reached via phone and email. Click here for a complete directory of LIFTT team members. Operations continue as usual at LIFTT’s Glendive location.
LIFTT encourages community members to offer their support during this challenging time. Interested individuals can contact LIFTT at (406) 259-5181 or donate to the Flood Recovery Fund at liftt.betterworld.org/donate.
LIFTT is grateful for the understanding and cooperation of the community as they work to overcome this unforeseen obstacle.
“Living Well in Montana” discusses LIFTT’s flooding with Dakota Smith of AmeriClean
Jed Barton and Debra Acosta talked with Dakota Smith, the owner of AmeriClean Disaster Restoration Services, about the recent flooding at the Billings LIFTT office and what folks can and should consider when disasters such as flooding strike their homes or businesses.
Local Media Coverage of the Flooding
KTVQ: “Weekend flooding at Billings nonprofit accelerates moving plans”
About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on either Apple or Google Play.
: