JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Stutsman County Commission unanimously approved a spring flood emergency in Stutsman County.

Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist says the declaration is similar to what Governor Doug Burgum approved at the state level earlier this year. The Department of Emergency Services informed Bergquist there was no need for a spring declaration.

Bergquist says the declaration would encompass damages from March 1st through April 25th in the county. He says this wouldn’t cover new damages that may have occurred in May.

The declaration states that very wet conditions resulted in extremely saturated soils and excessive run-off causing extensive damage to County, Township and City roads and other public facilities.

Meland says a preliminary damage assessment will need to be conducted and 36 townships out of 62 in the county have responded so far.

Meland says all fall estimates have been submitted to the state. She says they should hear final numbers later this month. She added that 15% cost share for funding through FEMA may be an issue for some townships to cover.

The total cost of damages was estimated to be around $3 million in Stutsman County.