[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 86 (Friday, June 30, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S6251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE MINNESOTA FLOODS OF 2000

  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the devastating 
storms of last week that are affecting much of northwestern Minnesota. 
We are experiencing some of the worst flash flooding in over 100 years. 
These storms dumped more than 7 inches of rain in the Moorhead, 
Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota area in an eight-hour period, 
swamping hundreds of basements, and streets, and acres of farm land.
  This past weekend, I had the opportunity to see first hand the 
effects of the storm when I visited the communities of Ada, Borup, 
Perley, Hendrum, and Moorhead. Actually, I had originally planned 
before the storm on being in the area to celebrate the grand opening of 
the Ada Hospital following its destruction during the Floods of 1997. 
Just three short years ago, Ada was hit with the worst flooding in 500 
years. They are still recovering from that flood.
  How do you explain floods like these? They don't just happen once in 
a while contrary to reports of 100 or even 500-year floods, they've 
been happening every year in northwestern Minnesota. Last year, Ada 
experienced severe hail storms and a Labor Day flood. In 1998, there 
were three floods in February, May and June. In 1997, of course, there 
was the huge flood in the Red River Valley.
  Swollen from the heavy rains, the Wild Rice River became a huge pool 
of water 25 miles wide and 30 miles long that flowed steadily overland 
through northwestern Minnesota, drowning millions of dollars worth of 
crops in its path. The pool developed as heavy runoff collected at 
higher elevations in Becker and Mahnomen counties, then flowed into the 
Red River Valley toward Ada. You have to realize that this land is very 
flat, dropping only about one foot per mile, so the water moves slowly, 
but causes severe crop damage. Several rivers converge and flood 
prevention measures have failed to funnel excess water into the Red 
River. I intend to work with representatives from the watershed 
districts, and the Army Corps of Engineers to see whether past flood 
control measures have resulted in what has become constant flooding in 
this area of northwest Minnesota and what can be done to alleviate this 
problem in the future. I saw fields with three or four feet of water 
that had been planted with wheat, soybeans, and sugar beets earlier 
this year. Now, these crops are all destroyed, and the stench of 
rotting crops has begun.
  Earlier this week, Governor Ventura declared this area a state of 
emergency so that federal, state and local emergency management 
officials can work together to assess the damage and see whether 
federal assistance will be required. As if this wasn't enough, eight 
counties in southeastern Minnesota were declared emergency areas and 
Governor Ventura has asked the federal government for money to help 
with their recovery following rainstorms of May 17th. I was happy to 
support the Governor's request and to learn that President Clinton has 
declared this region a disaster so that they are eligible for federal 
funding. This region of Minnesota received 5 to 7 inches of rain on May 
17th, followed by another heavy storm May 31. Since then, even small 
rainfalls have resulted in overflows and drainage problems.
  It's too early to tell the extent of the damage in northwestern 
Minnesota. Preliminary estimates include damage to 430 houses, 
primarily in the Moorhead area, and $10 million damage to crops in 
Becker and Mahnomen counties.
  But losses will go much higher. The greatest crop damage appears to 
be in Clay and Norman counties. There, crops have been damaged or 
destroyed on more than 500 square miles of land, according to county 
officials. That could mean $50 million in lost crops, and half that 
again in out-of-pocket planting costs.
  Flooding remains a serious blow to farmers in Minnesota. There are 
about 300 commercial farmers left in Norman County in northwestern 
Minnesota. They've been losing 20 or 30 farms every year recently. It's 
too late to plant any cash crops in that part of the state. Some 
farmers will plant a ``cover crop'' to control erosion; others simply 
will try to control weeds and start planning for next year.
  As in every disaster that my state has faced, I've been inspired once 
again by the people of Minnesota, who rally together for their 
communities when tragedy strikes. It's during critical times such as 
these that we finally understand the importance of neighbor helping 
neighbor. At a time when we all too often fail to make the effort to 
get to know and appreciate our neighbors, Minnesotans in a great many 
of our communities have formed lasting bonds over this past week and 
found their civic spirit has been restored.
  Mr. President, I intend to work with Governor Ventura to examine the 
need for federal funding to help those Minnesotans devastated by this 
most recent flooding. I also want to work with the Governor, the Farm 
Services Administration, and the Department of Agriculture in 
anticipation of federal funding needs for farmers who have had severe 
crop losses. I stand together with my colleagues in the Minnesota 
delegation, and with our colleagues from North Dakota who are facing 
destruction in their states equal to our own. When disaster strikes, we 
are not Republicans or Democrats. We are representatives of the people, 
and we will do whatever we must to protect our citizens when their 
lives, homes and property are threatened.

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