Dayton says early planning is key to flood prep

Gail Wischmann
Volunteer Gail Wischmann, a sergeant with the Cass County sheriff's office, was among those helping fill sandbags at "Sandbag Central" in Fargo, N.D., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2011. Communities in North Dakota and Minnesota are prepping for spring flooding.
MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller

Gov. Mark Dayton and emergency officials want state residents to know they're prepared for this year's flooding.

Dayton spoke in South St. Paul Wednesday afternoon at a flood planning meeting. It was one of several meetings that authorities are holding as the state braces for what could be record flooding along the Mississippi River, and other major Minnesota waterways. Forecasters say every waterway could be affected by flooding this spring.

Discuss how flood preparation affects communities at Insight Now.

Dayton said he and his staff are working with local officials to prevent or mitigate flooding.

"The question mark is how much more snow we have between now and the end of the winter and when it melts, how it melts and where it melts," Dayton said. "There are just a lot of uncertainty and factors that are beyond any of our knowledge or control."

Officials from the National Guard say they'll have several thousand troops available to assist with flood response, as needed.

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