05.10.11

Delegation Urges President to Sign Major Disaster Declaration

ND Leaders Call for Alternate Incident Date to Maximize Federal Support for Flooded Communities

Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg today urged President Obama to quickly approve the State of North Dakota’s request for a major disaster declaration, a necessary step to providing communities federal support to supplement their flood fights and recovery efforts.

“Many communities and counties across the state are still recovering from previous flooding in 2009 and 2010.  As a result, local budgets are severely strained and, as such, federal assistance is needed to aid in the repair of damaged infrastructure and to help defray the costs incurred for emergency protective measures,” the delegation wrote. “It is imperative that the incident period for the declaration begin February 14 to reflect the first occurrence of flooding and the extensive efforts undertaken by communities and counties to prepare for and avert a potentially larger disaster.” 

The delegation noted that the State has requested Public Assistance for 39 counties and three Indian reservations for flooding in the James, Missouri, Red River of the North, Souris River and Devils Lake Basins. Many of those communities, the delegation said, wisely got a head start on flood protection early in the year when the National Weather Service Flood Forecast indicated record flood levels were likely.

February 14 was cited by the delegation and the State as the appropriate incident date of state flooding. They argued that the communities with the foresight to begin building clay and sandbag levees in advance of the significant flooding should be rewarded – not penalized – for their preparedness.

Over the last three years, excessive precipitation, saturated soil, snowpack, and little to no surface water storage has taken its toll on North Dakota infrastructure, including deteriorating roads, bridges and water drainage systems across the state.

Text of the letter is below:                                       

                                                                      May 10, 2011

 

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500 

Dear Mr. President: 

We write in strong support of the State of North Dakota’s request for a major disaster declaration for severe spring flooding.   

North Dakota has been plagued by a combination of factors that have contributed to this year's major spring flooding, including repeated years of excessive precipitation, saturated soil conditions, snowpack with abnormally high water equivalent, and little to no surface water storage.   Preliminary damage assessments note significant damage as a result of this year's flood to roads, bridge and water drainage systems.  Many roads throughout the state are underwater or severely damaged to the point that they cannot support the weight of emergency response vehicles.  Road closures are also cutting off families, necessitating long detours to reach critical services.  

The State has requested Public Assistance for 39 counties and three Indian reservations for flooding in the James, Missouri, Red River of the North, Souris River and Devils Lake Basins.  Many communities and counties across the state are still recovering from previous flooding in 2009 and 2010.  As a result, local budgets are severely strained and, as such, federal assistance is needed to aid in the repair of damaged infrastructure and to help defray the costs incurred for emergency protective measures.   

It is imperative that the incident period for the declaration begin February 14 to reflect the first occurrence of flooding and the extensive efforts undertaken by communities and counties to prepare for and avert a potentially larger disaster.  The National Weather Service (NWS) began issuing flood forecasts in the fall of 2010, predicting significant flooding throughout the various river basins across the state.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, recognizing the strong potential for record flooding, began its preparations in January 2011.  The state along with cities, counties, and tribal governments took immediate, responsible, and reasonable action in anticipation of the significant flooding potential noted by the NWS flood forecast, a forecast that continued to worsen each month.  Significant local expenditures were made to build clay and sandbag levees to ensure the areas at greatest risk were protected.  These wise and prudent steps were taken based on the flood forecasts and were exactly the right thing to do.  If not taken, our cities and counties would have been at significant risk and the impact to the federal government to aid in the recovery would have been far greater.   

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide any additional information.