06.22.11

Hoeven Presses for Additional Federal Flood Assistance on Senate Floor

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate today in support of ongoing efforts in North Dakota to protect lives and property from rising flood waters in the Minot region and throughout the state.

"As I speak, more than 11,000 people are leaving their homes in and around the community of Minot," said Hoeven. "Somewhere between a third or a fourth of our citizens in the region are being displaced from their homes and their business. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to all of them. At the same time, we must do all we can to help them, both now at this time of need, and also in the days coming."

Noting the significant efforts of state and local officials and members of the community in aiding the Minot region, Hoeven called for continued support from federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  

Hoeven arranged for the North Dakota delegation to speak with FEMA Director Craig Fugate today to secure additional flood assistance. He also met with officials from the National Weather Service yesterday, along with Senator Kent Conrad, to obtain more information for flood fight planning efforts.  

Senator Hoeven will also meet Thursday morning with General John McMahon, Commander of the Northwest Division of the Army Corps of Engineers, to secure more help both for Souris Basin and Missouri River flooding, before returning to North Dakota to aid state and local officials with the ongoing flood fight.   

“We must be committed to help all we can, both in this flood fight and in the ensuing recovery,” said Hoeven. 

“It’s a challenging year, and so we need to pull together and we need to help each other. I know we will because that’s the American way. That’s the way we have always done it, and I know that we’ll be there to help each other, to help our citizens in the Minot region, throughout the state of North Dakota, and in other places around the country as well. As I say, that’s the American way. We will prevail in this endeavor.”