Authorities Open Flood Recovery Centers in North Dakota

By Daniel Blake, Christian Post Contributor Monday, June 27, 2011

Authorities have announced the opening of three recovery centers in North Dakota on Monday to help victims of the Souris River flooding, as flood waters reportedly begin to recede today.

Assistance programs are underway and local residents affected by the record-breaking flooding are invited to visit locations to find out more about help available, and to have their questions answered.

There will be two centers opening in Minot, as well as one in Bismarck.

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However, Gov. Jack Dalrymple clarified that residents need not visit the centers in person to register for disaster assistance, as that can be done online or by phone.

Anxiety over the weekend eased somewhat as it emerged that emergency levees did not break despite waters reaching 1,561.7 feet above sea level – nearly four feet above the 1881 record.

Early Saturday, Minot – North Dakota's fourth largest city with a population of around 36,000 – officials were anxious about coming storms. But by the evening, Mayor Curt Zimbelman reported to applause that the river level would not rise to what they had feared.

It is estimated that some 4,000 homes have been flooded to some degree. More than 12,000 people have been evacuated.

By early Monday morning water levels had begun to recede and fell slightly to 1,561.4 feet.

According to CNN, Richard Kinney, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Bismarck said: “At this point, the river has had its crest so far in Minot, but a number of locations downstream still have some high water yet to come.”

Officials in Washington have authorized FEMA to grant assistance to the region, and have promised the government will work together with local residents to help overcome the disaster.

The river is expected to recede slowly, and by Monday morning it was still about 12 feet above the flood stage.

Efforts are being concentrated on the Broadway Bridge in Minot, as officials try desperately to not allow the flood to split the town in two.

Not all North Dakota's cities are in the clear yet. Water levels are expected to peak in Sawyer on Monday, and Velva later, wither on Monday or Tuesday.

A boil-water order, issued Saturday, remains in effect. Residents are being warned to boil all water used for cooking or for any other consumption for at least a minute to kill dangerous organisms that may be present.