News Releases for April 2006
April 5, 2006
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State Supporting Grand Forks Flood Fighting Efforts
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today met with Grand Forks Mayor Michael Brown and other city and county officials to review flood conditions in the region and the community's preparedness for cresting waters. The Red River in Grand Forks is expected to crest at about 48 feet by Thursday morning.
"Although Grand Forks and communities throughout the region are much better prepared than they were in 1997, we are taking nothing for granted," Hoeven said. "Our experience in the past has made a difference, but we still want to make sure that communities throughout the valley have the resources they need from the state to protect against rising waters."
Hoeven last week mobilized the N.D. National Guard and other state resources to assist in flood response efforts. The National Guard has provided heavy equipment and personnel in support of civil authorities. More than 50 Guard members were deployed to assist in the construction of temporary dikes; and monitoring existing dikes in critical areas. Engineering and sand bagging equipment has been staged at the Grand Fork National Guard Armory.
"Local, state and federal responders are working together to mitigate the extent of damage caused by flooding," said Greg Wilz, Director of the Division of Homeland Security, N.D. Department of Emergency Services. "In addition to supporting communities currently involved in the flood fight, we are pre-positioning resources along the Red River as the water flows north."
The Governor also declared a flood emergency last week, 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.
Communities that have submitted emergency flood declarations to the state include the cities of Fargo, Oxbow, Gardner, Harwood and North River in Cass County, Grafton in Walsh County, and Pembina in Pembina County. Counties include Cass, Grand Forks, Pembina, Richland, Traill and Walsh.
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 making services and assistance available to citizens.
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. The NWS has revised its forecast of potential precipitation in the southern valley downward to one quarter of an inch, with some localized areas receiving up to half inch. The northern valley is expected to get little or no precipitation.
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