Public Flood Meeting | Video

Julie Leonardi | 3/18/2013

The International Souris River Board wants to hear from you, when it comes to future flood protection for the city of Minot. The Souris River Basin Task Force is asking for the public to evaluate a new study, wanting their input on additional flood protection measures. For those flood victims too afraid to speak up, they hope others take the initiative.

Gary and Betty Lee lived in this house for 37 years, a house that is now considered part of the flood zone. They are one of the few that have life almost back to normal.

“First time we walked in the house and saw everything, flooded out, it was terrible. We had to tear it all down. I cried for months,” said Betty.

“It was a disaster, we saw the inside of the house, mold, it was a disaster,” said Gary.

Fortunately for them, they didn`t lose too many memories. They stacked photos and mementoes upstairs where the water couldn`t reach. Although they are happy to be back in their home, but if another flood happens, they won`t be staying.

“We would just walk away. We’d move out of Minot. We can’t afford to live here.”

Gary and Betty say they`re more of the quiet type, but they hope their neighbors attend the meeting, and take the initiative to speak up and give their opinion.

“I hope a lot of people that do like to speak up attend, and I hope they have a solution.”

The meeting will basically just review a new study, asking people what they like and don`t like about it, and how they can improve. It seems that Gary and Betty Lee just hope a disaster like this doesn’t happen again.

“If this happens again, we might lose everyone.”

The public meeting will be held Wednesday at 2:30 at the Grand International Hotel. And for those people that lost so much in the flood, this is your chance to speak up.

Written comments will also be taken into consideration if sent in by April 7.

The study is available online at ijc.org/boards/isrb/publications.

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