Weekend weather restricts N.D. flood relief efforts

Maj. Connie Nikiforoff
Bismarck Composite Squadron
North Dakota Wing

NORTH DAKOTA – Flood relief work directed from the Bismarck command post slowed a bit over the weekend, as adverse weather clamped down on Civil Air Patrol members’ capabilities to carry out further missions.

A pair of aircraft relocation missions were flown March 28, and another plane made a reconnaissance flight patrolling the Missouri River and Beaver Creek toward Linton, site of substantial flooding. Aerial images taken by Bismarck Composite members have been made available for viewing.

March 29 brought unexpected weather and flying conditions, as heavy fog blanketed the area in and around Bismarck, making planned aerial imagery flights impossible. Once conditions improved, one plane was relocated to Fargo after maintenance work was completed.

Subsequently, yet another blizzard curtailed activities. CAP members used the time to rest, attend to personal matters and gear up to continue the fight against flooding as needed and requested in the Fargo area, as well as in other parts of North Dakota.

Things are temporarily settled, but as the new snow cover melts, meteorologists predict that a fast thaw will again put many areas in the state at risk for flooding because of river overflows as well as overland flooding.

Civil Air Patrol members remain vigilant.