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Minot Airmen aid community as waters rise again

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Keith Ballard
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  For the second time in a month, city officials have ordered citizens of Minot, including more than 950 Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and their families, to evacuate downtown homes here.

According to Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman, water levels are expected to reach the highest volumes ever in Minot's recorded history.

Minot Airmen are supporting city efforts to minimize the damage of flood waters which is not expected to impact the base directly or its nuclear deterrence and global strike mission.

"Our Airmen remain resilient and have the incredible ability to deploy anytime and anywhere to respond quickly to any situation around the world," said Col. James Dawkins, Jr., 5th Bomb Wing commander. "We feel it's important to use this capability to aid our communities in this emergency and time of need."

North Dakota Guardsmen, the Army Corps of Engineers and city engineers are working with Minot Airmen to limit the impact of the flood waters on the downtown area. The Minot Emergency Operations Center's main priority is to protect as much of the infrastructure as possible and preserve the main north-south route through the city, officials said.

Airmen involved in sandbagging efforts have been working around the clock to build as many bags as possible to provide city workers with additional resources. So far, more than 10,000 sandbags have been provided to Minot and surrounding communities.

The base has assisted the community in relief efforts in some areas, minimizing expected flood damages.

Burlington, N.D., assistant fire chief Chris Schaefer said the support Minot Airmen have provided has been excellent. "We need all the personnel we can get for equipment and for filling sandbags," he said. "We support the military 100 percent and we're glad to see they are coming out and supporting us."

Nearly 1,000 Airmen and their families are affected by the flooding, Colonel Dawkins said. "We are dedicated to ensuring our Airmen are out of the flood zone and also assisting in flood preparations in the city and surrounding communities," he said.

Water levels are expected to crest at an estimated level of around 1564.4 feet over the next week. This level would top the worst flood in Minot history, the infamous flood of 1969, by seven to nine feet. Some houses in the downtown area still show the scars of that flood today.

Residents in the affected area are required to evacuate their homes before 6 p.m. today, leaving over 10,000 Minot citizens displaced. Many residents have already begun to seek shelter at alternate locations around the city.

People are pitching in across the community to assist neighbors and community members with any assistance they can provide. On some social media sites around the community, people are offering assistance with packing belongings, garage space for boxes and furniture, or the use of their vehicles to help people leave the evacuation zones.

To assist displaced Department of Defense personnel and their families with some of their needs, Col. James Dawkins, Jr., 5th Bomb Wing commander, has activated the Emergency Family Assistance Control Center which will remain in 24-hour operations and offered emergency shelter on base for DoD personnel affected.

DoD personnel and families can report to the E-FACC for emergency shelter, information, referral and support or call 723-4500 for flood-related assistance. DoD personnel and their families are encouraged to use the on-base E-FACC to allow downtown agencies to assist other Minot community members. Pets are not allowed in on-base shelters but there are alternative options available to pet owners in portions of the city not affected by the evacuation.

The E-FACC reception area will be at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The E-FACC will also be a drop-off point for donations and volunteer information and support.

Volunteers are needed to assist the E-FACC with reception, donation collections and information/referral and support for the current flood events. Volunteer hours are flexible and will be needed around the clock for 24-hour operations. Interested individuals can report to A&FRC or call 723-4500 for more information.

For additional flood information call the flood hotline at 701-858-9366 or visit the North Dakota Department of Transportation website at www.dot.nd.gov.

Base members can receive real-time updates on Facebook by searching "Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs" or on Twitter at @MAFBPA. Updates can also be received by calling the installation hotline at 723-1190.