(CSi)  Stutsman County Emergency Manager, Jerry Bergquist on Friday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2 updated information that was included in last Wednesday’s Flood Preparation meeting held in Jamestown.  (replay on CSi TV 10 Jan 31 – Feb 2).

He said, those looking into purchasing flood insurance should make a decision within the next week or so, as the policy takes effect 30 days, from the time of purchase.

He said water releases from Jamestown and Pipestem Dams continue through the winter.

At this time the combined release is at 650 cfs.

As of Friday, Jamestown Reservoir had just over seven feet of water, into the flood storage zone, with Pipestem Reservoir with six and a half feet left to get to winter elevations.  As this time the target date to reach those levels in March 1, 2020.

He added at this time it’s still to early to know what the releases will be this spring.

He said Jamestown is still diked to handle a combined release of 2400 cfs, with sand bags left in place from last fall’s sandbagging efforts.

He pointed out that many factors, are unknown at this time to take under consideration for spring flooding, including, the eventual soil moisture content, snow water equivalent and temperatures affecting snow melt.

The current snow-water equivalent is three inches of water.

Jerry said February 13 will be the next flood outlook information issued by the National Weather Service.

In rural areas, it’s anticipated that the pot hole regions, now filled with water will become  more of a problem in terms of travel in rural areas, with the snow melt and any additional precipitation added to the total.

He said, before the Presidential Disaster Declaration was issued on January  21,  2020, for 16 counties, including Stutsman and Barnes, Stutsman County reported $4.2 million in damages, including $3.4 million damages to township roads, including $600,000 in county road damages, and $101,000 in road damages in the city of Jamestown.

Remaining damages reported are in Medina, Streeter, Courtenay, and Cleveland.

Jerry said it may be possible that stemming from additional damages the counties could end up with back-to-back Presidential Declarations.

He added that local officials have yet to receive specific information concerning the disaster declaration until a February 19, meeting.