Current Flooding Events

Missouri River Flooding Event

Government Information

Mississippi River Commission - 2011 MR&T Flood Report (9/1/2011)
USACE Boating Restrictions near Gavins Point (7/12/11)
USACE's Operation "Mighty MO' May & June Runoff (7/12/11)
USACE's StrongPoint Newsletter on Missouri River Flood Fight (6/20/2011)
USACE - Omaha District, Flood Response Information
USACE - Kansas City District, Flood Response Information
USACE - Missouri River Basin Water Management Information
Missouri DNR Water Resources Center - Missouri River
NWS River Forecast Center - Missouri Basin, Pleasant Hill
NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS)
USACE's Master Plan and Master Manual for Missouri River

News Stories

2011 Already Costliest Year for Natural Disasters (USA Today)
In Deep with Mississippi Flood Control(Natural Hazards Center, 6/2001)
Previous Missouri Floods Resulted in Better Levees (Associated Press, 6/7/2011)
More flooding woes along the Missouri, Souris rivers(Reuters, 6/28/2011)
Officials monitoring rising floodwaters at Nebraska nuclear plants(CNN.com, 6/23/2011)
'Flood in progress' confusing(omaha.com, 6/23/2011)
River experts: Flood risk can be mitigated(Sioux City Journal, 6/05/2011)

Photographs/Images

The Great Missouri River Flood of 2011 (Picasa, by Larry Geiger, 6/13/2011)
History of flooding on the Missouri River (Google)

History

Timeline history of flooding on the Missouri River (Google)

Climate Links with information about the Missouri Basin

General Link page for more information about the Missouri River climate outlook project
Link to past (recorded) and future Missouri Basin Climate Outlook Webinars and PDF of presentations

High Plains Regional Climate Center for images of past and current temperatures and precipitation
Example

Climate Prediction Center where all the forecast of week two (days 8-14) out to a year are produced. The 8-14 day predictions are made daily, the monthly outlooks are produced twice a month and the 3 month outlooks produced once a month (3rd Thursday)

Link to drought information across the U.S. and includes current drought conditions and (3 month) outlook

Links to snow information in the West mainly from the NRCS:
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/data/water/wcs/gis/maps/west_swepctnormal_update.pdf
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/water/drought/wdr.pl
More Snow Information

Current River conditions across the U.S. from USGS

Current Weather Information: clickable map at http://weather.gov/
Missouri River Basin Forecast Center River Information

Soil Moisture Conditions

General Climate Website for Climate Services

Link to the National Climatic Data Center's State of the Climate Reports - Here you can look at past significant climate information nationally (annually and monthly)

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Souris River (Minot) Flooding Event

Government Information

NWS Forecast Office - Souris and Des Lacs Flood Briefing Webpage
NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS)
USACE - St. Paul District, Flood Fight 2011
USACE - St. Paul District, Water Control Center

News Stories

Bismark / Minot Flood Stories (Valley News Live, ongoing updates)
Minot Businesses Use Creativity to Survive Flood (NPR, 6/28/2011)
Flooding North Dakota river nears crest (CBS News, 6/25/2011)
They Dropped Their Flood Insurance, Then the 'Mouse' Roared (NY Times, 6/23/2011)
Dakotas rush to build levees ahead of Missouri river flood (Reuters, 6/02/2011)

Photographs/Images

Minot Flooding (Picasa, by Katherine McPherson, 6/02/2011)
History of flooding on the Souris River (Google)

History

Timeline history of flooding on the Souris River (Google)

Other Flooding News

Minnesota is Getting Wetter, (Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District)
Increased Heavy Rainfall Decreases Water Quality - Increased flooding and runoff contribute to water quality hazard in NE Ohio.

Flood Recovery Information

In response to recent flooding, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has developed the following materials to help you assist residents recovering from flood damage and navigate the flood insurance claims process.

After the Flood fact sheet: Helpful information for residents as they return home.
Filing Your Flood Insurance Claim: A checklist for policyholders as they navigate the claims process.
NFIP Summary of Coverage: An explanation to help policyholders understand their flood insurance policy.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims Handbook: A step-by-step guide to filing a claim.
Repairing Your Flooded Home: A step-by-step guide to clean-up, rebuild, and get help after a flood.

In addition, the following tips may be helpful to residents returning to flood-damaged areas.

• Beware of Hazards. Check for damage, including structural damage before re-entering your home. Contact the appropriate professionals immediately if you suspect damage to water, gas, electric and sewer lines. Throw away water-damaged food including canned goods that have come in contact with floodwaters. Boil water until local authorities declare the water supply safe to drink.
• File your Flood Insurance Claim. Call your agent who handles your flood insurance to file a claim. Have the following information with you when you place your call: (1) the name of your insurance company (your agent may write policies for more than one company); (2) your policy number; and (3) a telephone number/e-mail address where you can be reached.
• Take photographs. To make filing your claim easier, take photographs of any water in the house and damaged personal property. If necessary, place these items outside the home. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage and damaged items (e.g.: cut swatches from carpeting, curtains, chairs) to prepare your repair estimate.
• Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their age and value where possible. If possible, have receipts for those lost items available for the adjuster. Local officials may require the disposal of damaged items. If so, keep a swatch or other sample of the item(s) for the adjuster.
• Gather any documents, such as photographs, receipts and itemized lists you made prior to the flood.
• Prevent mold and remove wet contents immediately.
• Work with the adjuster to calculate the damage in order to prepare an accurate estimate.
• Resources are available. The American Red Cross offers a free Repairing Your Flooded Homeguide. This guide will help you as you first re-enter your damaged home.
• For FEMA Disaster Assistance call 1-800-621-3362. For general flood insurance questions call1-800-427-4661.

Please email FEMA at info@femafloodsmart.com with any questions about NFIP and FloodSmart.

Flood Preparation is Far Less Costly Than Flood Repair

» More Information on New Hampshire Tropical Storm Irene

CONCORD, N.H. -- With flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene still fresh in your mind, now is a good time to begin making your home less likely to be damaged if it is threatened by a future flood.

Here is a simple checklist of suggestions:

• Install flood vents in the foundation to allow water to flow through to reduce pressure against the foundation;
• If your basement tends to flood, limit its use to storage, not living space;
• Install check valves in sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing up into your home;
• Elevate your furnace, hot water heater, electrical panel, even your outside air conditioner;
• Strap down all fuel tanks;
• Seal openings into the foundation, such as bulkheads, windows and exhaust vents to keep rainwater out;
• When you repair or remodel, use drywall and insulation that is mold resistant; and
• Consider elevating your home above a potential flood level.

Go to www.fema.gov/mitigation for more information.

There also are easy, inexpensive things to do:

• Make a family emergency plan – include pets in your plan;
• Build a family emergency supply kit;
• Store important papers safely; and
• Make a written inventory of major possessions and valuables. Supplement it with photos or videos, also safely stored.

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.

IRS Tax Relief in Disaster Situations

In the aftermath of a disaster or in other emergency hardship situations, individuals, employers and corporations often are interested in providing assistance to victims through charitable organizations. Find specialized disaster relief resources for charities and contributors on IRS.gov.

The IRS is in the process of providing tax relief to victims of Hurricane Irene. Special tax provisions may provide relief from certain time-sensitive requirements, including certain notice, filing and election requirements that apply to tax-exempt organizations, when an area has been declared a federally or Presidentially declared disaster area. The IRS encourages taxpayers and practitioners to monitor the Tax Relief in Disaster Situations page for the latest updates.

USDA Resources for States and Individuals Affected by Floods

USDA Flood Resources Fact Sheet 6/2011

USDA Emergency Preparedness & Response

USDA Press Releases

Secretary Vilsack's Action to Aid Disaster Victims 6/2011