Most Minot residents lack flood insurance

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MINOT — The vast majority of Minot residents didn’t have flood insurance as of four weeks ago, and it’s believed that most still were without it when the Souris River began its current siege on the city.

As of May 28, there were 476 flood insurance policies with combined total coverage of nearly $105 million in effect in Minot, a city of 41,000 residents. Eighty-six policies were in effect in the rest of Ward County, said David Kyner, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood insurance program specialist for North Dakota.

More current figures aren’t available because new policies typically aren’t logged into FEMA records until 60 to 90 days after the date of purchase, Kyner said. It’s also unknown how many polices in effect as of May 28 have since expired, he said.

Since Minot began participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, a total of 239 claims totaling $753,000 have been paid in the city, Kyner said. The city’s initial flood insurance rate map was identified in 1983, while Ward County’s map was identified in 1976, according to FEMA’s website.

North Dakota’s congressional delegation says federal officials will expedite damage assessments as they consider whether to approve individual flood aid.

Sens. Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Rep. Rick Berg say the commitment by FEMA Director Craig Fugate means the agency won’t wait for floodwaters to recede before beginning the process of documenting damages. Such measures as aerial assessments will be

utilized.

FEMA will help with flood costs related to public infrastructure under a presidential disaster declaration for North Dakota flooding, but has rejected the state’s application for assistance for private homeowners and businesses. State officials are pressing FEMA to reconsider.

Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki and The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Tags: souris river, flood insurance, news, flood, minot, insurance