FLOOD UPDATE: Even while crest prediction lowered, Valley City mayor calls for voluntary evacuation of half the city

UPDATED 5:08 p.m.

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Not long after the mayor here asked for the voluntary evacuation of about half of the city, the National Weather Service issued a revised flood forecast predicting a lower crest on the Sheyenne River.

Early this afternoon the weather service said the river at Valley City will crest at a record 21.5 feet, versus the previous forecast of 22 feet. The river is expected to crest on Saturday.

During a 9 a.m. news conference Mayor Mary Lee Nielson asked that all vulnerable populations – children, the elderly and those who are physically and mentally challenged – and anyone else living in the city’s floodplain leave the evacuation area by 6 p.m. Wednesday.

It’s unknown how many people the evacuation will affect, but it covers about half of this city of roughly 6,800 people, she said.

However, it was uncertain if Tuesday’s lowered crest prediction will affect the voluntary evacuation.

Agencies and people affected by the evacuation order are working today to determine how to respond.

Children, elderly, people with disabilities and people living in the 500-year flood plain are strongly advised to leave Valley City.

The evacuation could last for two weeks because the Sheyenne River is expected to stay high, said Nielson.

Senior citizens are being encouraged to stay with family, said Pat Hansen, executive director of South Central Adult Services.

“To put them in a shelter on cots for that long would be very difficult,” Hansen said.

The agency identified 86 elderly residents who receive meals delivered to their homes and are calling each one to make sure they know about the evacuation.

Bridgeview Estates, an assisted living facility, is evacuating residents. Two other homes for seniors, Sheyenne Care Center and Legacy Place, however, are on high ground and not planning to evacuate.

Nielson said that only essential businesses should remain open and Police Chief Dean Ross asked that all nonessential travel in the city cease.

Sunday rain followed by warm temperatures has accelerated the snowmelt and is expected to result in greater inflows to Lake Ashtabula than the record levels that had previously been predicted, officials said.

Mercy Hospital is in the floodplain but will remain open on an outpatient and emergency basis. The hospital is protected by a clay ring dike.

Valley City State University had already canceled classes for the rest of the week, and Valley City public schools also are cancelled for the week, according to a message from the superintendent on the district’s Web site.

Another 250 National Guard members are expected to arrive in Valley City this afternoon to assist with the evacuation, in addition to patrolling dikes and directing traffic.

Maj. Deb Lien said Barnes County and other areas along the Sheyenne River are considered the top priority in the state. About 200 Guard members are already in town and will stay as long as needed, Lien said.

About half of the buildings at Valley City State University are in the flood plain, said President Steve Shirley.

Officials are meeting today to determine how to proceed with the school year.

It’s unlikely classes will be held on campus for the next two weeks because the university will comply with the evacuation order, Shirley said.

However, VCSU is a laptop campus, so faculty will work on adjusting classes to be held online. Details are still being worked out, he said.

About 280 students live in residence halls, but about 12 to 15 students remain on campus because most had left for the long Easter weekend, Shirley said.

Those students will stay in a residence hall that is on high ground, he said.

A map of the floodplain is available on the city’s Web site at http://valleycity.govoffice.com.

Valley City recommended evacuation area

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