Gov. Jack Dalrymple will conduct a tour of Minot for a high-ranking FEMA official who can direct the federal agency's support and funding for a comprehensive flood protection project along the Minot-area's Mouse River.
David Miller, administrator of FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, will meet with Dalrymple and Minot-area officials Thursday, Oct. 20, in Minot. Plans are to provide Miller a tour of flood-damaged homes and to demonstrate the need for FEMA to support a broader flood protection project.
"This is an important opportunity to show Mr. Miller that FEMA's preliminary response to offer home buyouts within the 100-year floodplain doesn't come close to addressing the needs for permanent flood protection," Dalrymple said. "Mr. Miller has indicated that FEMA is willing to consider a larger flood control project and he will see on our tour how important it is to protect Minot-area homeowners."
Under certain circumstances, FEMA can approach hazard mitigation as a single, community wide project where the protection of remaining homes is paramount.
More than 11,000 people were evacuated from their Minot-area homes during spring flooding along the Mouse River. About 4,000 homes were damaged in the flood, many of which are located outside the 100-year floodplain, but remain at risk to future flooding.
"The 100-year flood plain no longer reflects the realities of flooding in Minot and the surrounding area," Dalrymple said. "FEMA should take a different approach to accurately determine the scope of a permanent flood control project," Dalrymple said.
Source: http://www.governor.nd.gov/media-center/news/dalrymple-escort-fema-official-minot-advance-comprehensive-flood-protection-plan
