Finding Solutions to Deal With Basement Flooding 

Release Date: July 20, 1999
Release Number: 1279-17

» More Information on North Dakota Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Snow and Ice, Flooding, Ground Saturation, Landslides and Mudslides

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Throughout North Dakota, residents have been forced to deal with years of abnormally high levels of rainfall. The ground has become so saturated, that water has formed thousands of pools of water covering farmland in every county in the state. Ground saturation is also causing havoc for homeowners with the continual reoccurrence of water in basements. This problem is affecting literally thousands of homeowners and has left many of them looking for solutions to end the problem.

The North Dakota Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) want individuals who are experiencing this problem to know there are ways to help manage and solve this dilemma.

"It is a shame, we have so many ways to help people with the problem of water in their basements, but if they don't apply for assistance by calling 1-800-462-9029, then we can't help them," stressed Federal Coordinating Officer Lesli A. Rucker. "Many people experience water in their basements year after year and are just resigned to the fact that it is something they will always have to deal with, but that shouldn't be the case. There are some solutions to help put an end to this."

Using grants from FEMA and the State along with loans from the SBA and insurance money, there are several projects that can be taken advantage of to reduce or stop water from entering a basement. The type of projects that FEMA can consider in a grant if you have continual water problems include:

FEMA can also provide help with the pumping, repairing or moving of septic systems, the decontamination of well systems, the elevation and relocation of a home's electrical panel from a basement to the main level of the home, and the repair of roads or driveways that provide private access to a person's home.

The SBA will cover all the items covered by FEMA. In addition, the SBA can assist with loans to do the following:

"With this disaster declaration, it is the perfect opportunity for people to address the issue of continual basement flooding and finally make a long term impact on the problem," said Adjutant General Keith D. Bjerke, state coordinating officer. "People need to realize that no single agency or program can solve all of the problems and that looking at the State, FEMA, and the SBA as a package for combining funds is the best way to seek out a solution."

Rucker added that every case is specific to an individual's home and that is why it is so important for people to register for assistance. "I hear people say to me that they didn't think they were eligible for assistance, and I tell them to just apply and let us look at their situation," said Rucker. "Unfortunately people rule themselves out from receiving assistance and in many cases they could have received some help."

Anyone who lives in one of the 42 disaster declared counties or four Indian Reservations and has suffered damages or losses as a result of this spring's severe weather is encouraged to register with FEMA at 1-800-462-9029 (TTY 1-800 462-7585). Individuals may register Monday-Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 16-Dec-2003 09:59:24