News Releases for April 2001
April 13, 2001
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
FEMA Director to Join Governor in N.D. Flood Tour
BISMARCK - U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director, Joe Allbaugh will accompany Governor John Hoeven on a tour of flood-affected areas of North Dakota on Monday, April 16.
Allbaugh and other FEMA officials will be assessing flood damage during aerial and ground tours in Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Fargo and Wahpeton.
Hoeven said Allbaugh is coming to North Dakota to get a sense of the extent of flooding and to discuss potential federal assistance. In addition, the governor wants to provide Allbaugh with a thorough briefing on conditions in the Devils Lake area and the need for long-term aid.
“We are going to start in Devils Lake with a helicopter tour so the FEMA director can gain a good understanding of how serious conditions are there,” the governor said. “Federal help is going to be essential in addressing the problem in the months and years ahead.”
The Devils Lake stop will be followed by ground tours in Grand Forks, Fargo and Wahpeton. Allbaugh and the governor will meet with local officials at each location.
“FEMA officials have been closely following conditions in North Dakota, and this visit will give them a first-hand perspective on the flooding’s impact on our communities,” Governor Hoeven said.
State emergency management officials have been providing daily flood reports to FEMA. Allbaugh contacted the governor on Wednesday and offered to come to North Dakota for an on-site assessment.
Allbaugh’s visit will be his first to the Midwest since he was sworn in March 5th as FEMA director. He previously served as chief of staff to Governor George W. Bush of Texas, where he worked with FEMA on nine presidential disaster declarations.
E-mail comments to the Governor
