From North Dakota National Guard…

Flooding in Central and Eastern N.D.

In 2011, during an unprecedented stint of support for a single-kind of
natural disaster, the NDNG responded in force to historical flooding across
North Dakota. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded 22 communities that
experienced record crests, and more than 3,000 Guardsmen served on flood
duty.

Soldiers and Airmen worked side-by-side with local, state and federal
agencies, as well as volunteers and impacted residents, to hold back
floodwaters across the state. After an initial flood response in eastern
North Dakota that spanned 32 days during which time more than 600 Guardsmen
were on duty in a single day, a short reprieve turned the citizen-Soldiers
and citizen-Airmen back to help, but this time in the central part of the
state.

The response increased dramatically during round two. Beginning on April 5,
and extending well into the summer season, over 3,000 individual Guard
members served a record 142 duty days on state active duty, assisting
communities battling statewide flooding for the third consecutive year.
In total, more than 67,000 Soldier and Airman days of State Active Duty were
recorded by the men and women of the North Dakota National Guard. Toward the
end of the summer, Minnesota National Guard sent approximately 220 Soldiers
to provide assistance and relief to the NDNG Guardsmen. Also, about 100 Minot
Air Force Base Airmen contributed to the fight.

“Our men and women in uniform have become extremely skilled and proficient
at flood fighting in recent years,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “This year, that experience was needed more than ever. We saw some of our state’s largest flooding events ever, some expected and some not. Each time the waters rose, our Guardsmen were there to work alongside local, state and federal responders and community members. Their families stood beside them as their Soldiers and Airmen missed more events and summer vacations, and their employers showed an incredible amount of support as they managed duties without an employee or more. We can’t thank
them all enough.”

By the Numbers – Complete 2011 Flood Response
(Includes Red, Sheyenne, Souris and Missouri rivers)
* 3,047 personnel supporting flood response through the National Guard
for at least one day this year
* 114 calendar days spent on flood duty
* 66,983 work days (calendar days multiplied by number on duty for each
specific day) devoted to flood response operations
* 169 aviation missions flown in North Dakota National Guard