More Airmen displaced from North Dakota floods

Published June 27, 2011
By Capt. Genieve David
5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D -- The count has increased to a total of 1,142 displaced Airmen and their family members as a result of the Souris River flooding which began June 20.

The base continues to offer emergency shelter to displaced base affiliated Department of Defense employees and their families. An estimated 4,000 homes are expected to be lost as a result of the flooding in Minot and the local surrounding communities.

Mandatory flood evacuations have extended to Sawyer (16 miles from Minot) and Velva (22 miles from Minot) today. More than 63 displaced personnel have received shelter here and the number is anticipated to increase with the surrounding community evacuations.

"Our Airmen remain actively engaged in flood prevention operations" said Col. James Dawkins Jr., "The City of Minot, Burlington and our surrounding communities are not facing this disaster alone. We are here to assist in any way possible. We are simultaneously transitioning to flood recovery operations and have begun planning for long term care of our displaced Airmen and their families."

Twenty-two spots remain open for displaced personnel to park their RVs in the RV Park or overflow.

On June 20, the 5th Bomb Wing commander, activated the Emergency Family Assistance Control Center--the central hub for displaced Airmen and their families to seek shelter or other family services assistance.

The E-FACC reception area is located at the Airman and Family Readiness Center here.

The E-FACC will also be a drop-off point for donations and volunteer information and support. Volunteers are needed to assist the E-FACC with reception, donation collections and information/referral and support for the current flood events.

Volunteer hours are flexible and will be needed around the clock for 24-hour operations. Interested individuals can report to A&FRC or call 723-4500 for more information.