News Releases for April 2009
April 7, 2009
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Hoeven Visits Central North Dakota Communities At Risk Of Flooding
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven was in Valley City and Jamestown today to work with city and county leaders facing flooding in east and north central North Dakota. Hoeven also met late this afternoon with North Dakota’s delegation and county officials in Devils Lake to work on flood mitigation.
The Sheyenne River runs through Valley City and downstream communities, and eventually flows into the Red River. The James River runs through Jamestown and flows into the Missouri River.
“We have our North Dakota National Guard and state agencies assisting, and we want to work closely with city and county leaders to ensure they have all they need to prepare and respond as the situation requires,” Hoeven said.
The Governor, along with local and federal officials flew over the Sheyenne River in Barnes County and the James River in Stutsman County to assess the flooding situation in the region. He also met with local officials in both cities respectively to ensure that they have the state resources they need to help protect the two communities.
On Wednesday, April 8, Hoeven will deploy 50 National Guard soldiers to Valley City to assist with dike construction and to help organize volunteer efforts for flood operations in the city.
The Sheyenne River at Valley City is currently at 16.16 feet. NWS is predicting crests to start around 10 April along the Sheyenne River as a result of a snowmelt forecast scenario. Major flooding is expected over the next several days at the Wild Rice River at Abercrombie and the Sheyenne River at Valley City, Lisbon, Kindred and Harwood.
On Sunday and Monday, the National Guard soldiers helped Jamestown officials move about 2,000 pallets from the Emergency Center in Fargo to the Stutsman County Road Department Shop in Jamestown. The James River was at 8.93 feet at noon on April 7, and sandbagging efforts have been suspended pending more information on the flood situation.
Last week, Hoeven also worked with Pembina, Walsh and Cavalier county mayors, commissioners and emergency managers to prepare for possible flooding in northeast North Dakota. Hoeven has directed the National Guard to provide aerial reconnaissance of the Red River to monitor flows, dams, and possible ice jams. Soldiers are patrolling dikes and assisting with dike security in the region. Water levels in the Northern Red River Valley are expected to crest in Pembina this weekend.
Other state agencies, including the National Guard, Department of Emergency Services, Department of Transportation, and State Water Commission are working with communities statewide and providing resources to help prevent flooding, and respond quickly should it occur throughout the state.
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