A turbulent creek in Libby, Montana, made headlines as it swept away a bridge, taking a section of roadway with it—a dramatic scene that was caught on camera.

On December 11, bystanders could do nothing but watch as the force of Libby Creek dismantled the bridge on Farm to Market Road, obliterating the infrastructure that once stood there.

Video footage vividly captures the moment when a colossal concrete slab yields to the relentless waters, providing a breathtaking visual of nature’s might.

This destruction was triggered by a significant atmospheric river event that drenched the Northwest with moisture, severely impacting Lincoln County in Northwest Montana along with various other areas in the region.

In Lincoln County, as well as other communities nearby, inundated roads and mandatory evacuations have become a common sight due to the widespread flooding.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, at least five bridges across the county have been damaged or destroyed as emergency response teams and transportation officials assess infrastructure conditions and guide recovery efforts. 

Due to the widespread flooding, a boil water advisory was declared for Libby by the Lincoln County Health Department due to a potential bacterial contamination in the drinking water system.

“The Libby public water supply has experienced high turbidity due to county-wide flooding,” a press release said.

A boil water advisory means the water in your community has, or could have, germs that can make you sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte issued an executive order declaring a flood emergency in Libby on Dec. 11, as widespread flooding swamped Northwest Montana, with more rain forecast to fall in the region.