North Dakota Gov. Hoeven Declares Statewide Flood Emergency

March 16, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today issued a statewide disaster declaration in anticipation of potential flooding, citing heavy snow pack on saturated land around the state and flood forecasts by the National Weather Service indicating "a strong potential for significant flooding in river basins throughout the state."

Hoeven formally requested assistance from the Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to supplement state and local efforts. Hoeven said, "Because of the urgent and compelling flood threat, I am requesting Corps assistance for flood control efforts in the Devils Lake, James River, Souris River, and Red River of the North basins, as needed."

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Hoeven has previously directed the North Dakota National Guard to preposition resources around the state and alerted other state agencies to activate their emergency operations plans in anticipation of a possible flood crest in several regions of North Dakota in coming days or weeks.

"With this season’s record snowfall, we clearly have the potential for damage to homes, farms and businesses in various communities throughout our state," Hoeven said. "To mitigate the damage, we are working in advance with state and local officials, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers, to have resources at the ready."

The Governor, along with Sen. Byron Dorgan, will be in Fargo and Grand Forks over the weekend to meet with state, local and federal officials to review conditions on the ground and coordinate state, federal and local assistance.

North Dakota state agencies are providing technical and resource assistance, as requested. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) has been activated in response to potential flooding. Staff members are assessing flood preparation needs and providing guidance and assistance, as needed, to include identifying public and private resources available to provide sandbags, pumps, generators and other equipment needed for flood fighting operations.

Additional steps that state and local officials have taken in preparation for possible flooding include the following:

* The N.D. Division of Homeland Security (NDHLS) conducted plan reviews on February 5 with the National Weather Service (NWS) and state agencies assigned responsibility in the Flood Incident Annex of the State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP).
* North Dakota Division of Homeland Security State Emergency Operations Staff is coordinating state assistance.
* The SEOC issued Flood Response Alert Notification (RAN) to lead and support state agencies on February 6.
* The N.D. National Guard conducted a statewide flood preparedness exercise at the end February in preparation for potential events.

In early March, the N.D. Department of Emergency Services, along with the USACE, NWS, local officials and FEMA held flood outreach meetings and public flood awareness forums in Minot, Fargo, Devils Lake and Grand Forks.

Current flood warnings, statements, forecasts and river levels can be found at www.weather.gov/ahps.

Source: North Dakota Governor