06.01.11

Hoeven, Dalrymple Call on CORPS, FEMA For Additional Resources To Fight Minot Flooding

Senator, Governor Tour Area with Federal, Local, County Officials to Coordinate Resources

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven and Governor Jack Dalrymple met today in Minot with representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and city and county representatives to press for additional federal resources to fight current and imminent flooding in the region from the Souris River. Following the meeting, the group toured parts of the city and county to assess the ongoing flood response and to identify any new resources needed. They also toured areas that are preparing for the most severe impacts.

Army Corps of Engineers Commander for the St. Paul District Col. Michael Price, who has jurisdiction over the Souris River, said in the meeting with the Senator and Governor that the agency is building additional protection and a secondary levy system. They are ring-diking schools and other vital public assets. He said the Corps has let contracts for the work.  

FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Willie Nunn committed to helping with life-saving, life-sustaining measures, including shelter provisions, with the Red Cross taking a lead and FEMA providing support. 

“Residents and officials are mounting their flood fight, and we’re counting on the Corps and FEMA to provide any and all support necessary to make it a successful one,” Hoeven said. “Public safety is our first concern, and we need to use all means available to protect people and property.” 

“In addition to working closely with FEMA and the Corps to secure important federal assistance, the National Guard, the Department of Emergency Services and other state agencies are on the ground providing critical resources to city and county residents,” Dalrymple said. “We are reaching out to all available resources to ensure the region has all it needs to successfully fight this flood.”  

Also participating in the meeting were Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman; Burlington Mayor and Ward County Commission Chair Jerome Gruenberg; Velva Mayor Ken Fox; Minot City Manager David Waind; Ward County Commission Vice Chairman John Fjeldahl; and McHenry County Commissioner Vern Kongslie; Major General Dave Sprynczynatyk; and Director of the State Water Commission Todd Sando. 

The Corps this afternoon said as much as 10,500 cubic feet per (cfs) second could flow through the Souris River in Minot and 4300 cfs on the De Lacs River, a tributary of the Souris, as a consequence of recent heavy rains in the area. The river is now expected to rise to 1,556.6 feet and possibly higher.  

Officials this afternoon announced an evacuation plan for low-lying neighborhoods in Minot to ensure public safety, and they issued a plan to increase the level of protection for Minot. They have also ordered street closures and called for more sandbaggers. A chance of additional rain showers is predicted for midweek.  

The city, counties and state continue to implement flood prevention measures, including diking, sandbagging and raising N.D. Highway 23 near the U.S. Highway 83 junction, about 16 miles south of Minot.