03.21.13

Hoeven Meets with Major General John Peabody to Secure Flood Protection Assurances for Fargo, Minot

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Mississippi Valley Division Commander Maj. Gen. John Peabody to secure assurances that the budget sequester will not affect flood prevention and protection activities in the Minot or Fargo regions this spring.

The senator also wanted to ensure that the Corps is taking all and any necessary steps to prepare for and prevent flooding in both communities, which are under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Valley Division.

“General Peabody made clear that the sequester will not impact flood preparation and prevention in the Red River Valley or on the Souris,” Hoeven said. “He said the Corps will not take any risk on life, health or safety issues.”

Peabody said he is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to get the best forecast data he can to prepare for flood season.

The National Weather Service’s most recent forecast for Fargo and Cass County projects a 95 percent chance of the Red River reaching 34.2 feet this season and a 10 percent chance it will reach 41.3 feet. City and county officials are beginning preparations for sandbagging and mitigating flood impacts on roads. Officials are also preparing for the need to initiate a disaster declaration in a timely fashion.