More Than $185 Million in FEMA Funds Have Assisted Souris Valley

MINOT, N.D. – In the two years since historic flooding struck the Souris Valley in North Dakota, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided more than $185 million in assistance to help the region recover. This is funding that has gone directly to residents or local communities to restore homes or damaged public infrastructure, as well as enact measures that will lessen the impact of future disasters. The agency also manages a program that provided temporary housing for more than 2,100 households, and is still assisting residents today.

   

North Dakota received a federal disaster declaration on May 10, 2011, for statewide flooding. The initial declaration provided funding for public infrastructure. As flooding intensified, the declaration was expanded on June 24, 2011, to provide assistance to individuals and businesses as well. A total of 44 of 53 North Dakota counties were included as well as four tribal nations. FEMA continues to maintain a presence in the Souris Valley, with approximately 50 personnel still in the region, with additional support coming from the regional office in Denver.

   

FEMA received 8,256 applications for assistance from residents of the Souris Valley, representing about 80 percent of the 10,286 total for the state. Similarly, the $91.2 million distributed to residents for rental assistance, home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs represents 95 percent of the total $95.8 million for the state.

   

In addition, FEMA brought in nearly 2,200 manufactured housing units to provide housing for those displaced by the flood. More than 1,100 of those were place on private properties, allowing homeowners to stay near their damaged dwellings to make repairs. Units also were placed at five manufactured housing parks in Ward County. Three temporary housing sites were also constructed, including the 600unit Virgil Workman Village – which is the only one remaining in operation – still housing approximately 200 households.

   

Of the nearly $242 million approved statewide for infrastructure assistance following the 2011 floods, nearly $90 million was provided to the four Souris Valley counties (Ward, Renville, McHenry and Bottineau). Among the larger recipients of assistance were: the city of Minot – $8.6 million; the city of Burlington – $1.6 million, the Minot Park District – $3 million and Ward County (including townships) – $10.3 million.

 

The largest beneficiary of public assistance funds is the Minot Public Schools. FEMA is providing $24.5 million to replace Erik Ramstad Middle School and $5 million to replace Lincoln Elementary School. FEMA also has provided an additional $25 million for activities ranging from emergency protective measures to building repairs at other locations to temporary classrooms to replace offline facilities. The temporary classrooms were provided within 10 days of the planned starting date for the 2011-12 school year and are still in use.

   

Thus far, more than $4 million in funding from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) has been provided to the Souris Valley. Funding has been provided for generators, home acquisitions, mitigation planning, and engineering, permitting, and design work for a floodwall to protect the Minot Water Treatment Plant. HMGP provides funding for projects that seek to minimize the impact of future disasters, and is administered by the state. More than $70 million was provided by FEMA to North Dakota for projects statewide, with additional projects still under consideration.

FEMA also engaged its Long Term Community Recovery team in Ward County. Members of the public participated in a series of meetings to voice their views about the future of their communities. The information gathered at the meetings was used to develop the “Souris Basin Regional Recovery Strategy,” which was adopted by Ward County and the cities of Burlington and Minot.

   

Continued:  

More Than $185 Million in FEMA Funds Have Assisted Souris Valley

Less Than 1,000 FEMA Housing Units Still Occupied In Ward County

MINOT, N.D. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that an important milestone has been reached, as the number of temporary housing units still occupied has fallen below 1,000. 

“This is yet another step in the recovery process,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Dan Alexander of FEMA. “It’s a demonstration that people are returning home and moving forward in their recovery.”

As of October 16, there are still 996 units occupied in Ward County.  Of those, 345 are located on private property, 144 are located at five commercial home parks in Minot and Burlington, and the remaining 507 are at two housing sites developed by FEMA – Virgil Workman Village just outside of Minot and De Sour Valley Heights in Burlington. 

“We continue to work closely with those still residing in FEMA housing, and with our recovery partners, including the city of Minot, to find long-term housing solutions,” said Alexander. “Our mission is to serve as a short-term bridge until sufficient housing can be re-established in the community.”

FEMA’s housing mission was extended through June 24, 2013.  At the peak of the operation, more than 2,000 units were occupied.  In addition to the temporary housing mission, FEMA has provided more than $90 million in financial assistance to individuals and households impacted by Souris Valley flooding.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Less Than 1,000 FEMA Housing Units Still Occupied In Ward County

Fact Sheet: FEMA Individual Assistance in the Souris Valley

Fact Sheet: FEMA Individual Assistance in the Souris Valley 

Release Date: June 11, 2012
Release Number: 1981-AFS002

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Individual Assistance Programs

  • Residents of nine North Dakota counties and one reservation were able to register for individual assistance with FEMA;
  • Statewide 10,286 individuals or households registered for assistance in the IA designated counties;
  • In total, more than $95 million has been provided; $93.4 million for rental assistance or home repair, and $2.1 million in other needs assistance;
    • In the three Souris Valley counties (McHenry, Renville and Ward), there were 8,256 applications, with $89 million for rental assistance or home repair and $2 million for other needs assistance for a total of $91 million;
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved $256.4 million in low-interest loans. $212.9 million was approved for individuals and $43.5 million for businesses;
    • In the Souris Valley, SBA approved $240.9 million in low-interest loans. $198.1 million was approved for individuals and $42.8 million for businesses;
  • Disaster Recovery Centers were in 11 communities and received 14,921 separate visits from applicants while in operation
    • DRCs were located in six Souris Valley area communities and received 12,477 visits;
  • SBA Business Recovery Centers in Minot and Bismarck received a total of 2,929 visits;
  • The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, managed by Job Service North Dakota and funded by FEMA, provided $2.4 million in benefits.
  • $3.3 million was provided to fund crisis counseling grants ;
  • The transitional sheltering assistance program ended 12/26/2011 at a total cost of $3,196,962.94. This program allowed displaced residents to stay in hotel rooms until more permanent housing became available.

Direct Housing Mission

  • Due to housing shortages because of the economic boom, a direct housing mission was initiated:
    • Group housing site construction totaling $40 million is ongoing by USACE.
    • More than 2000 Temporary Housing Units (THUs) delivered and installed.
  • There are currently 1,471 occupied THUs.
    • DeSour Valley Heights – located in Burlington, this 50-unit site was filled in October. The park is currently housing 44 households.
    • Virgil Workman Village – located just east of Minot, this is comprised of three parks containing 200 homes each. It is currently housing a combined total of 532 households.
    • Recovery Village – located on the northeast edge of Minot, this was the final group site to come online. The site did support nearly 200 homes and is currently housing 47 households.
    • Private Sites – FEMA placed housing units at 1,118 private sites allowing residents to be closer to their damaged homes while making needed repairs. There are currently 635 THU’s still on private sites.
    • Commercial Sites – FEMA leased space and is currently housing 213 households at the following commercial sites: Holiday Village, Gulli’s, Burlington, Jefferson and Gold Nugget.
  • Multiple weather/climate challenges were overcome by completing $13 million in winterization processes, such as: foam insulation, use of heat tape and arctic room shelter construction.
  • The housing mission in Minot is expected to last at least 18 months.

Last Modified: Monday, 11-Jun-2012 10:02:01

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Fact Sheet: FEMA Individual Assistance in the Souris Valley

FEMA Housing Units a Common – and Welcome – Sight in Ward County

FEMA Housing Units a Common – and Welcome – Sight in Ward County 

Release Date: June 11, 2012
Release Number: 1981-ANF005

» More Information on North Dakota Flooding

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

They don’t appear on any maps, but following the 2011 Souris River flood, there are three new communities in Ward County. De Sour Valley Heights, Virgil Workman Village and Recovery Village are group housing sites built under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at the request of FEMA. The sites are filled with manufactured homes provided by FEMA, supplementing hundreds more that sit near flooded residences or in previously existing manufactured home parks.

FEMA’s housing assistance following a disaster generally consists of funds to make minimal repairs to allow people to return to their homes, or rental assistance to pay for alternate housing. The oil boom in Northwest North Dakota had already pushed vacancies in Ward County to nearly zero, so FEMA housing specialists quickly determined that additional measures would be needed. Manufactured housing units would be brought in to provide temporary housing while homes in the area would be repaired or rebuilt.

While a large number of the FEMA manufactured housing units would be able to be placed on the property of homeowners, this option would not be feasible for everyone. It became clear that additional sites would need to be built to place a large number of the housing units. FEMA tasked the USACE with supervising construction of these group housing sites. FEMA, USACE, and city and county officials came together to assemble a list of potential sites to be reviewed. Of the 24 locations reviewed, the only ones that were deemed feasible were the three areas chosen.

In addition to having the availability of a large open plot of land, there was also the requirement of having close access to infrastructure. De Sour Valley Heights was able to be tied in with the City of Burlington, while Virgil Workman and Recovery Villages fell under the City of Minot. Building the group sites required a vast amount of work, including delivery of electricity, water and sewer services as well as construction of a street system to access the hundreds of homes that would eventually be placed at the three sites.

While work was progressing on the group housing sites, FEMA housing units were arriving daily and being placed on private property, allowing homeowners to stay nearer their damaged homes while making repairs. Ultimately, more than 1000 of these private site placements were made. FEMA followed up by taking special winterization measures to ensure the homes would withstand the area’s harsh climate.

By mid-October the first residents were able to move into the new communities, with the three sites continuing to grow in size until just prior to Christmas, when the final residents were able to move in. During the same time frame, more than 250 households were able to move in to units located at six previously existing manufactured home parks. FEMA was able to sign lease agreements with these facilities, and in some cases provided assistance in clearing lots of flood debris to make that available for home placement.

In total, more than 2000 FEMA housing units were put into service in Ward County, with more than 750 being occupied in the three communities. That small group, in addition to being from the Souris Valley, will be able to say that for a short time they called De Sour Valley Heights, Virgil Workman Village or Recovery Village home.

FEMA Housing at a Glance

Virgil Workman Village

Location: East edge of Minot, south of US Highway 2 and west of E. 55th Street.
Maximum Capacity: 600, consisting of 3 adjacent 200 unit sites
Current Occupied Units (as of May 31): 532
First Units Occupied: Oct. 2011

Recovery Village

Location: Northeast edge of Minot, off of 42nd Street.
Maximum Capacity: 200
Current Occupied Units (as of May 31): 47
First Units Occupied: Nov. 2011

De Sour Valley Heights

Location: East of Burlington on the south side of US Highway 2
Maximum Capacity: 50
Current Occupied Units (as of May 31): 44
First Units Occupied: Oct. 2011

Private Sites

Location: On private property, generally adjacent to the applicant’s flood-damaged home
Current Occupied Units (as of May 31): 635
First Units Occupied: July 2011

Commercial Sites

Location: Six existing manufactured home parks, five in Minot, one in Burlington
Current Occupied Units (as of May 31): 213
First Units Occupied: Nov. 2011

Last Modified: Monday, 11-Jun-2012 10:01:34

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FEMA Housing Units a Common – and Welcome – Sight in Ward County

Hope Village: Helping Volunteers Help the Souris Valley

Hope Village: Helping Volunteers Help the Souris Valley 

Release Date: June 11, 2012
Release Number: 1981-ANF004

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» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

Volunteers are often the lifeblood of a disaster recovery effort. Following the Souris River flooding, volunteers have already helped countless families return to their flood-damaged homes. But the same housing shortage that is affecting displaced residents has limited the number of volunteers that can come in to the area and help. On the grounds of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in south Minot, a unique solution to that problem has sprung up in the form of Hope Village.

Hope Village is a temporary community that will house incoming volunteers. It includes trailers that provide sleeping quarters, bathroom and shower facilities, and a large dining tent that serves three meals a day. It is the culmination of efforts from a coalition of local faith-based and community volunteer organizations. Much like Henry Ford’s original assembly line, the different volunteer agencies have divided up the tasks for managing the facility, playing to their strengths. For example, cooking duties are being handled by the Southern Baptists.

“Hope Village was borne out of necessity and we now have a place to house and feed the teams that are coming in from the various agencies and churches,” says Bob Lower, a United Methodist volunteer coordinator and lay leader at Faith United Methodist Church in Minot. “There was nowhere for people that wanted to come and help to stay. With the oil boom, everything was tied up. As a part of the Hope Village mission, we took on the challenge of housing these people and feeding them for the whole summer.”

But Hope Village does much more than provide food and shelter for volunteers. It is also a hub of activity, working closely with the Resources Agencies Flood Team (RAFT) to direct the volunteers to pre-identified individuals and families who are in need of assistance. It’s a streamlined process to ensure donated labor and resources are used as efficiently as possible.

“Our focus is on helping those people who have been affected by the flood get back into a safe and secure space,” says Lower. “We do that by providing assistance in coordination with the case management system. The case management system takes people through the process, assessing what they need to get back in, be it materials, labor and the appropriate skill sets. It dovetails with what the homeowner can do by themselves. We will complete enough of the home to get them back in. For example, with a couple living in a four bedroom home, we completely finish one bedroom along with the common use areas needed for safe and secure living.”

With the large number of homes impacted by the flooding, Hope Village and its resident volunteers have their work cut out for them. However, those involved are prepared for a marathon rather than a sprint.

“We will be here for a number of years to get through all of the need that there is,” says Lower. “We can’t do all of the homes in one year, but we are going to make a significant impact this first year. This year we opened the first week of April and will go to the first of October. We’ve already set the 2013 work year. That’s going to be from the April 8 to September 28. During the winter months, we will organize local volunteers from the community to keep work going inside homes.”

To learn more about Hope Village visit hopevillagend.org.

Last Modified: Monday, 11-Jun-2012 10:01:20

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Hope Village: Helping Volunteers Help the Souris Valley