Warmer weather and melting snow and ice may be a welcome sight to most, but water from the melting has officials watching closely.
The National Weather Service announced a flood advisory for Stark County, effective until 1:15 p.m. today. Hettinger, southern Dunn, northeastern Bowman, Adams and Morton counties are also included in the advisory.
Gary Kostelecky, Stark County emergency manager, said besides a few incidents of water creeping a little too close to homes, flooding hasn't been an issue in town.
"We're generally doing pretty darn good," Kostelecky said. "If it continues like this and cools down at night to the point where it (the water) doesn't run too much, we should be in good shape."
Kostelecky said temperatures within the next few days are critical to knowing whether or not flooding will be an issue.
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"If it gets in the 50s and 60s it will be of some concern," Kostelecky said.
Quite a few people have received sandbags from the city and county, Kostelecky said, which are used primarily to keep water out of window wells and patio doors in residences.
The first 50 bags are free, with every bag after that costing 50 cents, he added. Both the bags and the sand are available, but citizens are required to fill their own bags.
Ice jams caused problems in Medora over the weekend, causing the Little Missouri River to swell up over its banks and spilling into parts of Chimney Park, Medora Mayor Doug Ellison said Monday.
Sunday at about noon the river was down, he said. "Late afternoon it started rising and went out of banks. Then about 9 (Sunday) night the ice jam broke and the water went down again."
Quite a bit of ice was still visible in the river, Ellison said, which could jam up again.
No problems have been reported in Medora, and none are expected, Ellison said.
"I understand a few people south of town that live close to the river had water around their houses," Ellison said.
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Those in the Dickinson area looking for sandbags can contact Kostelecky at the Stark County Emergency Management office at 701-456-7605
AccuWeather forecast predicts a colder day tomorrow with some sun. Highs are expected to reach about 40 degrees tomorrow with a low of 24 degrees.
