Historic Natural Disasters Pummel North Dakota Across State | Video
Brian Howell | 6/23/2011

When we say this has been a historic year for flooding, it`s an understatement. Minot certainly is North Dakota`s hardest hit city, so far, but records are shattering across the state.

“2011 is going to go down in history as an epic year in North Dakota for natural disasters. At times, it almost seems unreal,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple, R-N.D.

State and federal leaders have been criss-crossing the state since March. First there was Fargo, where the Red River headed toward its third largest crest in city history.

Next, the Sheyenne River assaulted Valley City, twice. And then roads and property flooded in Devil`s Lake, when it rose two feet.

But the worst was yet to come. At the end of May, the Missouri River went out of control, sending record flows through the Bismarck area. River levels are now hovering just under 19 feet and are expected to last well into summer.

Horrific results are already being seen.

On Wednesday, a home in Hoge Island was swallowed by the Missouri River a few miles north of Bismarck. Some Hoge Island residents are afraid their nearby homes might be next.

“I thought everything was going good, and then that house fell in, and everything went downhill from there. I am concerned about it because sand could come swirling up and swallow (my house) up, too,” said AJ Ehrmantrant, a Hoge Island resident.

Minot averted disaster not too long ago, when the Souris River acted up in early June, but miraculously quieted down. Obviously, things didn`t stay that way for long.

“Minot, N.D., my hometown, is facing a dire emergency. We`re going to need help,” said U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, on the floor of the United States Senate on Wednesday.

North Dakota`s congressional delegation is working in overdrive to get federal support from their colleagues. “We need to pull together and we need to help each other. I know we will, because that`s the American way,” said Sen. John Hoeven,R-N.D., on the floor of the United States Senate on Wednesday.

Hopes are high that it`ll be over soon. “This takes the cake. How can you possibly have this much disaster?” said Dalrymple.

Ehrmantrant said he can`t think of anything more he can. There were questions earlier about whether damage would be bad enough to qualify North Dakota for maximum levels of FEMA help, but nobody is asking that question anymore.

Credit: Brian Howell of KYFR–TV News

Momma’s Source: yahoo news

[THIS certainly has been a landmark year, not just in North Dakota but around the world. There has been Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, which touched Hawaii and the West Coast of America, southern U.S. tornados and tropical storms, tornados and flooding in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and what is certainly a devastating run of flooding for North Dakota and Canada. Please continue to pray for the victims of these disasters and extend help to them if you can. Momma Cha]