• The Civil Air Patrol, The ND Highway Patrol, and ND Game and Fish are continuing to conduct air search operations for possible stranded motorists on secondary roads.
  
  
• Anyone with concerns that friends or family may still be stranded should contact their local law enforcement agency or 911.
  
  
• Stranded motorists without cell coverage or cell phones should tie something bright on their vehicle that is visible from the air to facilitate the air search.
  
  
• People who have vehicles still in the ditch should make arrangements for towing if possible.
  
  
• People in shelters without a ride, should call 701-328-8127.
  
  
• Many traffic crashes have yet to be reported and investigated. To report a blizzard related crash, please go to www.nd.gov/ndhp/contact-us and submit your contact information to the Highway Patrol office that is nearest to where you live. Those without internet access should contact their local law enforcement agency.
  
  
• Motorists should be advised there are a number of abandoned vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway. Drivers are asked to slow down and use caution when encountering these vehicles to allow personnel who are working to remove them safe access. Motorists should also be aware that they may encounter one lane traffic in some areas due to this situation.
  
  
• All travelers are encouraged to wear seat belts, monitor road conditions, reduce traffic speeds as weather conditions occur and use caution while traveling. For road information, call 511 from any type of phone or go to the website: www.dot.nd.gov.

• Home acquisitions in flood-prone areas.
  
• Living snow fences.
  
• Burying overhead power lines.
  
• Adopting new and enforcing existing regulations contained in the National Flood Insurance program.

• More than $185,000 collected during 2009 program year
  
• More than 4,200 facilities comprised of over 900 different entities report yearly
  
• 525 spill incidents reported
  
• 91 incidents required emergency response
  
• Common materials involved in spills were ammonia, gasoline, diesel fuel, fertilizer spills, crude oil, sulfur dioxide, motor oil, chemical fires, natural gas, and hydraulic fluid.

Bismarck, ND - Local, state, and federal representatives will hold town hall meetings in six North Dakota communities January 31-February 7 to help citizens learn more about the flood outlook, flood insurance, and flood preparation. Printed information will be available for distribution at each location. The town hall schedule is as follows:



January 31
Fargo
Fargo Public Library, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
102 North 3rd St, Fargo

February 1
Grand Forks County
New County Building,7:00-9:00 p.m.
151 South 4th Street, Grand Forks

February 2
Pembina County
EOC Building, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
308 Court House Dr. City of Cavalier

February 3
Devils Lake
City Offices, 7:00 -9:00 p.m.
423 6th Street NE, Devils Lake

February 4
Bismarck
City and County Building, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
221 West 5th Street, Bismarck

February 7
Jamestown and Valley City
City Hall, 7:00-9:00 p.m.102
2nd Avenue SE, City of Jamestown

• Get an emergency supply kit
  
• Make a family emergency plan
  
• Be informed about the types of emergencies that can happen in your area and the appropriate responses

• Joe Lies- Lies recently accepted the position of NE Regional Emergency Response Coordinator. Lies previously served as the SW Regional Emergency Response Coordinator.
  
  
• William (Bill) Brown- Brown has been selected as the new SW Regional Emergency Response Coordinator. He will begin his duties in November. Brown has been with the Minot Police Department for thirty-one years and has served as captain for nine years.
  
  
• Tom Doering- Doering has accepted the position of planning specialist. Previously, Doering was the program coordinator for the North Dakota Association of Counties' Homeland Security Training and Exercise Program.

• James Boehm - Boehm recently retired as the Administrative Officer III from State Radio after 37 years of service. Boehm is the last State Radio single council dispatcher per shift, the current minimum is 5.
  
  
• Jennifer Curtis - Curtis began duties as Administrative Staff Officer III replacing Jim Boehm. Curtis formerly worked at the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in the criminal history records section.
  
  
• Chuck Weisser - Weisser has retired as a Communication Specialist III (Assistant Supervisor) position from State Radio after over 31 years of service.
  
  
• Margie Thomas - Thomas was promoted to the Communication Specialist III (Assistant Supervisor) position vacated by Weisser. Thomas has been with State Radio for 17 years.

• Assemble an emergency supply kit containing an all-hazards radio, food, water, and other supplies that will last at least three days. Remember to think about specific needs of children or pets as well. Be sure to organize a first aid kit and include required medicines.
  
  
• If you think your basement may be impacted by seepage or flood waters, consider removing furniture, including carpeting, and moving to a higher level in your home.
  
  
• Be prepared to relocate if flooding impacts your home. Identify a location, your community's evacuation routes, and thoroughly discuss your plans with your family. It is extremely important to choose a location family members will meet if you or others become separated. Choose an out-of-town contact everyone can call to get needed information.

• Clear snow from foundations and basement windows.
  
• Ensure eave troughs are clear of snow, ice or other debris. Use extenders on downspouts to direct water away from your home.
  
• Move belongings to an upper floor, particularly important papers, valuables, photos and other irreplaceable items. Consider removing carpeting from basements.
  
• Put all hazardous materials in a flood-safe storage area.
  
• Plug sewer drains to prevent backup.
  
• Make sure sump pumps are operational.
  
• Contact your insurance agent to check coverage of sump pump failure and sewer backup.

• Kirk Hagel - Hagel has taken the position of Critical Infrastructure Program Manager. Hagel works closely with private industries in North Dakota to deter, detect, respond, and react to terrorist threats or acts. He is assigned to the State Fusion Center. Hagel previously worked for the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department.
  
  
• Karen Hilfer - Hilfer recently was promoted from a temporary grants specialist to an Administrative Officer II position in the State Homeland Security grants section. Previously, Hilfer worked for Community Action Partnership in Dickinson, ND where she coordinated the Community Services Block Grant programs.
  
  
• Sean Johnson - Johnson has accepted the position of Deputy Chief for Recovery and Mitigation. He will assist the section chief manage various hazardous mitigation grant programs. Johnson previously worked as an operations and training officer with the ND National Guard.