Minot flood update

Published June 25, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT, N.D. -- The mayor of Minot held a press conference to provide important updates on the flooding situation, which is currently affecting more than 1,000 Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and their families, here June 24.

According to the National Weather Service, the Souris River reached a historic height of 1559.69 feet on June 24, and is expected to crest at 1563.6 feet by June 26, which is an average of 3 ½ to 4 ½ feet higher than it is now.

Broadway, a main artery into the city, remains closed up to Burdick Expressway in order to expedite the dike-building process. With the Army Core of Engineers, city officials, contractors, and N.D. National Guardsmen working around the clock to build levees, the mayor has asked that no one travel in the city unless it is absolutely necessary. North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad said keeping Broadway open is a priority, which is why the city is working so hard to keep water out.

Both Sen. John Hoeven and Sen. Conrad along with North Dakota Congressman Rick Berg, urged Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to support the state of North Dakota's request for individual assistance for counties, including Minot, who continue to fight record flooding.

Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman said the city has seen an estimated 2,400 to 4,000 homes that have already been damaged by the flooding.

With many losing their homes, Senator Conrad said that obtaining individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is critically important.

"The congressional delegation's priority is to get FEMA to make individual assistance available so temporary housing can be obtained for displaced residents," said Senator Conrad.

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple, said he was hopeful about receiving good news in regards to the FEMA request, and that if anyone would like to make a donation to the flood efforts, the Minot Area Community Foundation is designated as the recipient entity in this area.

"The entity's function is to redistribute funds to various charities throughout the area," said the governor. "As for the state as a whole, the North Dakota Community Foundation is the receiving entity for national donations. It is designated as the 2011 Flood Relief Fund."

The governor went on to discuss the mental effects that a crisis such as this can have on people, and introduced a nationally recognized expert in displaced persons mental health, Dr. Andrew McLean.

Doctor McLean said many people wonder how communities in North Dakota can remain so resilient throughout all the flooding, year after year.

"Resilient communities all have three things in common," he said. "Strong leadership is one of those things, which we see here now. This leadership has the ability to engage citizens, as well as utilize resources very well. From an emotional standpoint, people affected by the flood should maintain close connections with others. Maintaining a normal routine is also very important."

Lastly, he emphasized that flood victims should practice the three Rs: rest, relationships and routines.

Also in attendance at the press conference was Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, the North Dakota National Guard adjutant general. During the conference he provided an update on the North Dakota National Guard's presence and participation in Minot's flood fight.

"The National Guard and Airmen from Minot Air Force Base are constantly engaged in the quick reaction force project mission," said the general. "Whenever there is a levee being breached and there is something we can do about it, our people respond; whether it is with their trucks, sandbags, or clay material."

"In addition, we continue to build additional levees where they can still make a difference," he continued. "We have been putting up sandbag levees 24 hours a day for the last several days. We are involved in the search and rescue aspect as well, working hand in hand with the Sheriff's Department to ensure our resources are available to the city."

The general also touched on the security aspect of the flooding.

"No one is allowed to enter the evacuated area," he said. "Soldiers and Airmen are there preventing access. The only time anyone is allowed to enter is if that person is with a Soldier or Airman, and there are certain protocols to follow for that to happen."

"We are working as a team and unified effort to provide support for this city, county and surrounding communities," he said.

The general urged anyone affected to call 1-877-212-0316 to be entered in the database of people affected. This list will then populate the FEMA database, if the individual assistance is granted.

For more information, call the 24 hour flood hotline at 858-9366.

To make a donation, visit www.ndcf.net/flood or call 1-800-605-5252.