Water rises toward the top of the river bank June 1, 2011, along the Souris River in Minot, N.D. In preparation for possible flooding, local volunteers, with assistance from Airmen from Minot Air Force Base and the North Dakota National Guard, are setting up secondary dikes along the river. Because the Souris River threatens to break the levies already in place, thousands of Minot citizens, including military members, their families and DOD civilians, have been forced to evacuate the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron-Forrest Wainwright)
Larry Rutschke and Zack Hillman (on bridge), hydrological technicians with the U.S. Geological Survey, measure the flow of the Souris River June 1, 2011, in Minot, N.D. In preparation for possible flooding, Airmen from nearby Minot Air Force Base and members of the North Dakota National Guard as well as volunteers from many other organizations, are setting up secondary dikes along the river. The Souris threatens to break the levies already in place, forcing thousands of Minot citizens, including Airmen, their families and DOD civilians, to evacuate the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jesse Lopez)
Larry Rutschke, a hydrological technician with the U.S. Geological Survey, measures the flow of the Souris River June 1, 2011, in Minot, N.D. In preparation for possible flooding, Airmen from nearby Minot Air Force Base and members of the North Dakota National Guard as well as volunteers from many other organizations, are setting up secondary dikes along the river. The Souris threatens to break the levies already in place, forcing thousands of Minot citizens, including Airmen, their families and DOD civilians, to evacuate the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jesse Lopez)
by Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
6/1/2011 - MINOT, N.D. (AFNS) -- Flooding caused by the springtime snow-melt, saturated ground and heavy rainfall led emergency management officials to evacuate more than 10,000 Minot residents, in areas near the Souris River in downtown Minot May 31, including more than 500 Airmen and families assigned here who live off-base.
According to Minot Emergency Operations Center officials, the evacuation area affects about one quarter of the city, including a large section of downtown Minot. Officials expect river levels to rise significantly by June 2. Rainfall over the past week has flooded the Minot area, which led to the closing of three bridges and a major roadway.
In response to the rising waters and evacuation of homes, Col. James Dawkins, the 5th Bomb Wing commander, offered on-base emergency shelter to all Minot area Air Force Global Strike Command military members, DOD civilians and their families if they were unable to secure accommodations with friends or family.
Mayor Curt Zimbelman ordered mandatory evacuations to be completed by June 1, when the Souris River was expected to crest above flood stage. North Dakota Guardsmen were patrolling door-to-door on the evening of June 1 to ensure all residents within the flood zone were out of potential harm's way.
Army Corps of Engineers officials report they will be working with city officials to aggressively to fight the flood using all available resources. They will be working on the existing and secondary dike systems, officials said.
Due to the heavy influx of evacuees at shelters downtown, off-base Airmen and DOD employees living in the evacuation zone have been encouraged to seek shelter with family or friends, if available, or use on-base emergency shelters.
Comments
6/6/2011 12:13:13 PM ET DoD employees had to take leave to evacuate or help their friends and family evacuate. I would do it again but I think it is pretty low to make those in the evac zones take leave in order to save their home and/or belongings.
Mac, Minot
6/3/2011 12:43:13 PM ET The response here has been fantastic. The base leaders, the city leaders, the National Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers have made this as smooth as you can possibly imagine. No matter what you hear about Minot, this is a community that knows how to support each other.
Capt T, Minot AFB ND
6/2/2011 7:53:48 PM ET Thanks to all the enlisted who keep us safe in so many different ways. Thanks for the help. I know all the people up there appreciate the help.
Vicki Lesmann, north branch mn
6/2/2011 9:23:50 AM ET Kudos to all the volunteer Airmen that are out there sandbagging to save the city. Good job, PA.
Capt D, Minot AFB ND
6/2/2011 5:30:36 AM ET Thoughts are with you. I know the struggle. Grand Forks 1998.
