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N.D. Declares State of Emergency for Flood Threat
USAgNet - 03/27/2017

Governor Doug Burgum Friday issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for Walsh County based on the threat of major flooding.

Walsh County and the city of Grafton have been working together the past month to prepare for potential record flooding due to heavy snowpack, frozen and saturated soils and an April climate outlook that indicates above-normal precipitation trends.

The most recent National Weather Service flood outlook for the Park River at Grafton calls for a crest range of 14 to 16 feet around April 1, which would be close to the record flood crest of 16.16 feet on May 22, 2013.

The governor's executive order activates the North Dakota State Emergency Operations Plan to assist local officials and puts all state agencies on standby for flood response, including the North Dakota National Guard.

An emergency declaration is necessary for the state to request and obtain federal support. Gov. Burgum is specifically requesting flood preparation assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"The current financial situation of the state due to the economic downturns in the agricultural and crude oil markets, coupled with unforeseeable expenses associated with the Dakota Access Pipeline protest response, makes federal support a necessity," the order states.

Brent Nelson, emergency manager for Walsh County, expected to find out over the weekend whether the request was approved.

Nelson said the area is expected to see significant runoff into Monday and will likely reach the flood stage by March 29.

The most recent flood outlook from the National Weather Service projects a crest range of 14 to 16 feet for the Park River at Grafton around April 1, which would be close to the record flood crest set in 2013. The news release cites heavy snowpack, frozen and saturated soils and a climate outlook that "indicates above-normal precipitation trends."

Nelson said Grafton will likely begin closing roads Monday to determine how high to construct temporary levees. He said the town has about 1,200 sandbags filled for the purpose.


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