Ice jams have caused historic flooding in the Yellowstone River Valley near the North Dakota/Montana border. Governor Doug Burgum had the opportunity to survey the area and damages in McKenzie County. Burgum says this particular flooding event is unusual. “In this case, they didn’t have weeks to get ready, only hours,” says Burgum. “Over 50 families and farm sites were affected, along with 110 people displaced from homes.” The flooding does have a significant impact on agriculture in the area. The soil is rich in the river valley, where a variety of crops such as sugarbeets are grown. In addition, the region has been utilizing a canal irrigation system for over a century. “Irrigation equipment was standing in water. The water came so fast that there was farm vehicles and machinery that got flooded.” Listen to the story.
(Photo: Governor Doug Burgum Facebook page)