North Dakota National Guard conducts flood training and puts the plan in place on the same day

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – As our state begins to grapple with spring flooding, we wished to know what the plan is when communities face rising waters.

On Wednesday members of the North Dakota Nationwide Guard have been getting ready themselves for a flood response in case they wanted to be deployed. Little did they know that this coaching would truly must be utilized in White Earth the identical day.

“One sheriff mentioned he had been down right here and did his rounds round 9 pm and the streets have been wonderful. He got here down about 3:30 within the morning and the streets have been flooding,” mentioned Crystal Ogden, White Earth North Dakota.

The Guard assisted within the flood response by doing precisely what they have been educated to do.

The sandbags which are being dropped on the website of the train weigh about one ton and they’re used to dam water and reduce destruction throughout an emergency flood response. The final time the guard activated this plan was in Could of 2022.

“That they had some sandbags that they really positioned. On the finish of 2021 into 2022 and the summer season they’d a couple of localized areas. The newest one was the realm up by Cavalier when the dam broke up there. It’s been a couple of 12 months in the past at the moment,” mentioned Captain Steven Schaffner, Firm Commander 285th Assault Battalion.

The Guard conducts coaching workout routines like this one on flooding about two to a few instances a 12 months. Every time their aim is to be prepared at a minute’s discover if they’re known as for responsibility to serve the group they stay in.

“The largest factor is prepping the sandbags, getting the load prepared. Our line is crucial. Whereas it’s related to the helicopter, related to our load, be sure that stays safe and taking the plane in. Because the pilots method, it turns into troublesome to see the place you’re going,” mentioned Schaffner.

Ensuring they’re ready to step in to guard the individuals of North Dakota.

Except for responding to emergency flooding, the North Dakota Nationwide Guard may also reply to wildfires.

Copyright 2023 KFYR. All rights reserved.