NEWS                                                                                                                               

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2010

Contact: Don Canton or Lance Gaebe
(701) 328-2200

HOEVEN REQUESTS FEDERAL FLOOD DECLARATION

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today sent a letter to the President requesting a federal declaration for the State of North Dakota under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance (Stafford) Act due to weather conditions and forecasts indicating a strong potential for severe spring flooding.

In support of local and tribal jurisdictions, Hoeven is specifically requesting direct federal assistance for emergency protective measures for 18 counties and one reservation. They include the Spirit Lake Nation reservation and the counties of Barnes, Benson, Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Emmons, Foster, Grand Forks, LaMoure, Mercer, Nelson, Pembina, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Stutsman, Traill and Walsh. The Governor indicated to the President that as impacts emerge, additional counties may be added.

            Conditions contributing to the threat of flooding and inundation include excessive precipitation throughout the fall and winter seasons causing saturated soil conditions; high water content in the current snowpack; full ponds and wetlands that result in minimal available surface storage; and the prospects of additional moisture and ice jams through the spring snowmelt. The Governor asked that the incident period begin on February 26, 2010, the date he issued a state flood emergency declaration triggering the state Emergency Operation Plan.

            The State of North Dakota and multiple communities and counties are already allocating resources and preparing for widespread potential flooding. Based on the extensive flood preparedness efforts underway in communities throughout the state, Hoeven requested direct federal assistance for emergency protective measures addressing property protection and public health and safety. These emergency protective measures include, potable water for communities; evaluation of water and sewer systems; sand bagging machines; sandbags; levee construction; water control barriers; emergency pumping and assistance for evacuees and shelter.

            Because communities have already incurred expenses, Hoeven is requesting that the federal declaration coincide with the February 26 date of the state declaration, consistent with the President’s action in 2009.

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