News>Guard, Minot Airmen continue support as flood slows
Photos
Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen, Minot city officials, the National Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers here are preparing for the worst flood in this city’s history. On June 22, 2011, the Souris River breached the levees and the warning sirens sounded, requiring the immediate evacuation of more than 11,000 Minot residents as well as nearly 1,000 Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. John D. Comer)
The Souris River is swelling in size and breaching dikes built to contain the water at Minot, N.D., June 22, 2011. On June 22, 2011, the river breached the levees and the warning sirens sounded, requiring the immediate evacuation of more than 11,000 Minot residents as well as nearly 1,000 Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jesse Lopez)
by Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
6/28/2011 - MINOT, N.D. (AFNS) -- A press conference held at city hall here June 26 offered a shred of good news for those residents, Airmen and family members impacted by Minot's record-shattering floods during the month of June.
The mayor announced that the Souris River measured at 1561.72 feet late in the evening June 25 and receded to 1561.57 feet as of 3 p.m. June 26.
"We feel the river has probably crested," Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman cautiously stated.
Officials said that National Weather Service representatives would not officially pronounce the river as being crested for another few days.
Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, the North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, said he was very happy with the assistance the National Guard has received from the Airmen at Minot Air Force Base.
"We have been working very closely with the air force base," General Sprynczynatyk said. "That unified effort has really paid off. I greatly appreciate the contribution from Minot Air Force Base. We continue to respond to quick reaction force needs, supporting the city and the Army Corps of Engineers. We continue to provide security, traffic control, aerial evacuations and placement of one-ton sandbags. These are all ongoing things."
Minot's boil water order is still in effect and will be until further notice. This boil water order also applies to Minot AFB.
Jason Sorenson, the Minot Water Treatment Plant superintendent, said the breach that possibly caused water contamination has been fixed.
"The plant continues to put out clean water," he said. "Please understand it takes time for something that happened at the plant to work its way out of the system."
Mr. Sorenson reinforced the fact that everyone at the plant is doing the best they can and just wants to make sure they can provide the city and surrounding areas with water for sanitation, at the very least.
