Dalrymple Asks FEMA to Assess Flood Damages

Press Release

Gov. Jack Dalrymple today requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency assist state and local officials in conducting an assessment of damages caused by overland and riverine flooding in several areas of the state.

"Recent flooding in several counties has damaged local and state roadways and other public infrastructure," Dalrymple said. "We will continue working with local officials and FEMA to move forward on repairs and other flood-recovery assistance."

Dalrymple today requested acting FEMA Regional Administrator Tony Russell to send an assessment team to North Dakota to begin the process of verifying flood damages to public infrastructure. State and local emergency management officials have conducted initial flood damage assessments in eight counties. Adjunct Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, who directs the state Department of Emergency Services, said initial assessments show that total flood damages exceed FEMA's threshold of $1 million for federal cost-share assistance.

In a letter to Russell, Dalrymple said torrential rains in excess of 10 inches in some areas of the state have led to overland and riverine flooding that has damaged roadways and other public infrastructure. Areas of the state have experience a continuous wet cycle since May 19, leading to record rainfall and flooding. In early July, floodwaters submerged many roadways in central and northwestern North Dakota, including stretches of state Highway 256 south of Antler, N.D., as well as the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 83 north of Coleharbor. County officials reported that flooding also washed out roads. In some areas, crews cut through roadways to relieve flooding that threatened rural homes.

On July 3, Dalrymple issued an emergency declaration to assist areas of the state hard hit by overland and riverine flooding. State and local officials have conducted initial flood damage assessments in Bottineau, Divide, Eddy, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward counties. Additional counties could be eligible for flood recovery assistance as officials continue to assess damages.

Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley on July 3 toured counties in north central and northwest North Dakota and he met with local officials to begin the process of assessing flood damages to public infrastructure. Joining Wrigley were Sprynczynatyk, Darcy Rosendahl, deputy director of the state Department of Transportation, and area legislators.

Wrigley and other state officials took an aerial tour of farmland and roadways swamped by torrential rains in Bottineau, Renville and Divide counties. They also held meetings with mayors, county commissioners, emergency managers and other local officials in Bottineau, Mohall and Crosby to coordinate the state's assistance for damage assessments and repairs.

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