River cresting nears in Minot, fight continues

Published June 26, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT, N.D. -- The mayor of the city of Minot held a press conference here June 25 to provide important updates on the flooding situation, which currently is affecting some 11,000 residents and more than 1,100 Airmen and their families.

According to the National Weather Service, the Souris River is now predicted to crest at 1561.8 feet during the late hours on June 25. The crested water level is expected to last through June 28, and will then drop below 1560 feet in approximately one week.

Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, the North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, reinforced the importance of remaining vigilant as the Souris River nears its peak level.

"It is important to maintain our ability to provide the highest level of protection we can for the community up and down the Souris River," said General Sprynczynatyk. "We continue to have more than 850 Soldiers and Airmen working here throughout the last couple of days and we'll certainly continue to do so. We respond to quick reaction force needs that the city may have."

Earlier today the general said a problem arose with a pedestrian bridge near Broadway, one of the main arteries to the city of Minot.

"Our Soldiers and Airmen have been working on the pedestrian bridge," he said. "It has been blocking a lot of debris flowing downriver, causing the actual bridge itself to move. Our Soldiers and Airmen are hooking up larger equipment and positioning them so that if the bridge were to detach, we can immediately pull it out."

The bridge isn't the only area in need of help. Soldiers and Airmen are spread out all over Ward County, doing anything needed to keep the water away from what's left of the city.

"We also have Soldiers and Airmen downstream and in Burlington," he continued. "We'll continue to support them, providing our men and women in uniform to help with anything from sandbagging to building levees in specific locations. We've also been placing quite a few of our one-ton sandbags with our black hawk helicopters and those have been used primarily to shore up storm sewer systems to prevent back-water behind the levees."

North Dakota Congressman Rick Berg was happy to comment on the approved individual assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has been granted to the community of Minot on a case-by-case basis.

FEMA officials urged impacted members of the community to call 1-800-621-FEMA to register for aid. This registration begins the application process to determine eligibility.

The North Dakota State Health Department has issued a boil water mandate for the city of Minot, including Minot Air Force Base, effective immediately.

"Untreated water has entered the Minot water system," said Jim Heckman, director of Environmental Health at the First District of Health. "It is unknown at this time if the water is contaminated. These are preventative measures until the quality of water is verified."

Officials said it takes a minimum of 24 hours after sampling to determine the quality of the water.

Visit www.fdhu.org for more information on how to decontaminate water before using or drinking.

Dan Olson, Excel Energy, reassured the community that Excel is doing everything it can to ensure power is provided to the city without disruption.

"Our system looks great," said Mr. Olson. "Our sub-station is up high and dry. There is no danger of losing the station. But, we are doing a lot of preplanning and building another line across the railroad tracks just in case something happens."

Jim Redding from the North Dakota Department of Transportation stated the 83 Bypass will remain open. He said the signal light had been changed to help alleviate traffic.

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

To make a donation to the Minot flood relief fund, visit www.ndcf.net/flood or call 1-800-605-5252.

Flood fight 2011