An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | June 23, 2011

Guard helps thousands flee floods

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Orrell National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. - As of 9:30 a.m. EST today the city of Minot, N.D. has evacuated about 12,000 residents in response to the Souris River overtopping several levees in and around the Minot area, Guard officials said.

Minot civilian authorities are anticipating that flood waters may reach an additional six to eight feet above the levees by 4 p.m. EST and will eventually be flowing at a rate of 28,000 cubic feet per second.

Due to the potential dangers local officials have decided that fighting the flood is no longer feasible and will brace for water levels to break the record levels of 1881.

“It’s a sad day for the people of this city, but one that brought the community together to ensure the safety of its citizens,” said Army Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “Right now our focus is on the safety of the Minot people.

“I am proud of the way our Soldiers and Airmen continue to assist the residents working shoulder-to-shoulder with the community and civil authorities.”

Today the North Dakota National Guard will be redirecting ambulances and 50 additional personnel to join the already 500 Guard members in Minot.

They will be performing airboat operations, security patrols, traffic control points and residential evacuations.

Sprynczynatyk said that as Citizen Soldiers and Airmen continue to work for their fellow residents, even with some of them being directly affected by these evacuations, the National Guard is always ready and always there.

“Whether it’s been traffic control, levee monitoring or evacuation assistance, our Guardsmen have performed well in every mission asked of them,” he said. “Through this catastrophic event, your Guard stands ready to assist.”

As with any activation, deployment or mobilization, the success of the Guard begins at home and in the workplace, Sprynczynatyk said.

“We are able to do our jobs successfully thanks to our employers and families for being supportive when we need it the most,” he said.

-- North Dakota National Guard contributed to this story

 

 

Related Articles
Lt. Col. Gayle Ryan, a general surgeon with the Delaware Army National Guard, is currently assigned to the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as the Medical Director for KFOR Regional Command-East. She leads the charge to ensure troops stay healthy, mission-ready, and medically prepared for anything—even while deployed.
Delaware National Guard Surgeon Leads Multinational Medical Operations in Kosovo
By Sgt. Laura Bradley, | Aug. 19, 2025
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Delaware Army National Guard’s general surgeon Lt. Col. Gayle Ryan is at the heart of Kosovo Forces Regional Command-East, or KFOR RC-E, medical operations, overseeing medical readiness initiatives...

A UH-60 Black Hawk picks up water from a pond near the Rancho Fire about 30 miles north of Reno on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Nevada Army National Guard aviators activated 22 Soldiers on Aug. 3 operating one CH-47 Chinook and one UH-60 Black Hawk from the Army Aviation Support Facility at Stead to support the Nevada Division of Forestry in Elko County. Days after coming off orders for that fire, Army aviators were called for the Rancho Fire. Orders ended this weekend after the fire's forward progression was halted.
Nevada National Guard Aerial Firefighters Mark Busy August
By Capt. Emerson Marcus, | Aug. 19, 2025
RENO, Nev. – Nevada National Guard aerial firefighting efforts have intensified this month as temperatures rise.Nevada Army National Guard aviators activated 22 Soldiers on Aug. 3, operating one CH-47 Chinook and one UH-60...

Staff Sgt. Austin Duck, a team lead in the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight, leads his team during a training exercise at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind., July 26, 2025. Duck was recently awarded the 2024 EOD Master Blaster award in the non-commissioned officer Category. (U.S. Air national Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett)
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialists from Kentucky Air Guard Recognized for Excellence
By Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett, | Aug. 18, 2025
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD, Flight have been recognized for excellence by the National Guard Bureau.Staff Sgt. Austin Duck was named EOD...