News Releases for April 2006
April 4, 2006
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State Supporting Valley Flood Fighting Efforts
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven along with city and county officials in Fargo today reviewed dikes, equipment and sandbagging efforts to stave off flooding from the Red River, its tributaries and overland flooding.
Communities that have submitted emergency flood declarations to the state include Fargo, Oxbow, Gardner, Harwood and North River in Cass County, and Grafton in Walsh County. Counties include Cass, Grand Forks, Pembina, Richland, Traill and Walsh.
“We want to make sure that we’re providing the support our communities need, including equipment and personnel,” Hoeven said. “At the same time, we want to express appreciation to the many volunteers, emergency managers, city and county officials, and relief organizations for their hard work to fight the flooding.”
Hoeven said the level of preparedness has improved significantly since previous flooding episodes. “If you look at the volume of water here, we’re already at the 37 foot level. In the past, that meant flooding. We need to continue our efforts to better manage the water, not only in terms of permanent diking, but also in the management of water flows. Our experience in the past, however, has made a difference.”
Hoeven last week declared a flood emergency, which triggered state support to local communities in anticipation of flood damage. He said today he believes the damage will reach the $1 million threshold necessary to trigger a presidential disaster declaration.
He also mobilized the National Guard and other state resources to assist in flood response effort. The National Guard has provided heavy equipment and personnel in support of civil authorities; assisted in the construction of temporary dikes; and monitored existing dikes in critical areas.
In addition to the National Guard, other state agencies supporting the local efforts include the Civil Air Patrol, the N.D. Geological Survey, and the Division of Homeland Security. The N.D. Highway Patrol is providing traffic control and flood surveillance. The N.D. Department of Transportation is providing engineers and equipment. The State Water Commission is monitoring gauges and providing technical input to local and federal agencies. The N.D. Department of Human Services is also providing services and assistance to citizens.
“We are working with the N.D. Department of Human Services and member agencies of the North Dakota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to provide assistance to individuals impacted by flood activities,” said Greg Wilz, director of the N.D. Division of Homeland Security. “We urge residents impacted by flooding to report damages to their local emergency management official to aid in this process.”
Weather conditions have caused significant rises in the Red River of the North, including the Sheyenne, Maple, Wild Rice, Goose, Forest, and Park Rivers, all tributaries of the Red River. Officials from the National Weather Service report the next weather system is expected to move into the region beginning Wednesday afternoon through Saturday morning, with Wednesday evening and Thursday morning experiencing the heaviest precipitation. There is a potential for one to one and one-half inches possible in the southern basin.
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