Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Minnesota News
Dan Gunderson

North Dakota governor declares a statewide flood emergency

water standing on a muddy sugar beet field
Saturated soil is delaying harvest for many farmers. This sugar beet field near Stephen, Minn., is seen on October 9, 2019. More than one inch of additional rain fell after the photo was taken.
Dan Gunderson | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has declared a statewide flood emergency in response to unprecedented fall flooding. Many rivers in the Red River Valley are at historic levels for this time of year, and more rain is expected this week.

While river levels are not expected to pose significant risk to communities, Burgum said fall flooding can have more widespread economic effect.

"What's unprecedented about it is we've got literally billions of dollars of agriculture value that is unharvested in the fields and that creates a risk potential for us, not just cities and people and infrastucture, but there's an economic hardship that we're facing here," Burgum told local officials at a listening session in Fargo Monday morning.

North Dakota ag commissioner Doug Goehring said the Red River Valley is a major soybean producing area, and much of the crop is at risk.

"We probably have in western Minnesota and North Dakota about two billion dollars worth of soybeans that are sitting in water or at least in conditions which may not allow producers to get out there and get them anytime soon," said Goehring.

Goehring is also concerned livestock farmers and ranchers will run short of feed this winter because more than 90 percent of corn used for cattle feed has not be harvested and hay crops have been damaged by floodwater.

There's also concern the late fall flooding will create problems for spring planting next year. Many farmers apply some of their fertilizer in the fall, but Burgum said that hasn't happened this year.

"So that creates supply chain issues in terms of having enough supply next spring, and the time and field conditions to actually get it on. We're really stacking up for creating challenges for next year," said Burgum.

North Dakota officials are doing damage assessments and plan to seek a federal disaster declaration as well as disaster assistance from USDA.