Jamestown  (CSi)  The Stutsman County Commission has joined the City of Jamestown in declaring a Flood Emergency.

The county’s  declaration is  needed if Jamestown  asks the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers  for flood fighting assistance, and to start paperwork to free up state and federal assistance.

Stutsman County Emergency Manager, Jerry Bergquist says, the Stutsman County declaration also addresses deteriorating township roads.

News Release From Jerry Bergquist…

Mark Klose, Stutsman County Commission Chairman, declared an emergency for Stutsman County today (Tuesday).  The county declaration was made to support the emergency declaration approved by the Jamestown City Council on Monday (10-14-19).  A county level declaration is required if the City chooses to ask for specialized flood fighting assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The county declaration was also made to bring attention to the deteriorating township road network.  Township roads have slowly been succumbing to high water over the last several months with the above normal precipitation the region has received.  Many roads are now becoming either soft/undrivable or completely inundated with water as the very wet snow from last weekend’s record storm begins to melt.  There is currently no outside funding available to assist with road repairs.

According to North Dakota law, an emergency declaration made by a principal elected official may remain in effect for a maximum of seven days.  After that, the continuation of the declaration requires the consent of the entire County Commission.  Its continuation will be on the agenda for the regular County Commission meeting scheduled for October 22.