Minot mayor: More flood money needed

Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman says federal flood recovery aid is appreciated but it isn't enough.

Zimbelman said during a U.S. Senate Budget Committee field hearing in the city on Tuesday that Minot's unmet flood recovery needs are in the range of $1 billion. That includes the city's $543 million share of an $820 million flood control project to guard against a repeat of last year's record Souris River flooding.

More than 4,000 homes and businesses in North Dakota's fourth-largest city were swamped in 2011 and thousands of people were forced to evacuate.

Nearby Burlington also was hit hard. City Engineer Ryan Ackerman says the city has $56 million in unmet needs.

The state's congressional delegation says officials need to make a case for more federal funding.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.)

Political Coverage Powered by You

Your gift today creates a more connected Minnesota. MPR News is your trusted resource for election coverage, reporting and breaking news. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.