WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — U.S. Department of Agriculture has released $1 billion in disaster relief for livestock producers impacted by wildfire or drought in 2023 or 2024. The Emergency Livestock Relief Program funding comes as part of the $21 billion in weather-related assistance include in the year-end legislation passed by Congress in December. It’s the first of two assistance programs…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Drought conditions and an early thaw are factors contributing to an earlier and longer-than-average spring fire season. Fires have already started across the state, including a fire that burned about 1,200 acres near Menoken. “We usually get relief coming into winter time. We usually get some snow packs to relieve the drought and that dry fuel. But…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Governor Kelly Armstrong signed an executive order declaring a statewide fire emergency and activating the State Emergency Operations Plans. Above average temperatures and below average precipitation amounts have led to drought conditions and increased the risk of wildfires. Armstrong, a volunteer firefighter, said, “North Dakotans endured some of the largest, deadliest and most destructive wildfires in…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) — Minnesota is in dire need of significant rainfall. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows 2% of the state in a severe drought compared to no areas last week. Around 19% of Minnesota is in a moderate drought, up from 12% a week ago. The areas of severe drought are in eastern and central Minnesota. There…
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (KVRR) — The outflow on Baldhill Dam near Valley City will be increased next week due to an increased potential for spring flooding. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says although the area experienced moderate to severe drought last year, snowpack measured in the drainage area above the dam indicates an increased potential for flooding. The reservoir will…
NORTH DAKOTA (KVRR) – April showers arrive but May flowers may need to wait a couple weeks longer as farmers closely observe the effects. Farmers on the western side of North Dakota who have been experiencing drought conditions might get the needed relief from a rain and snow filled month of April. Some are worried they’ll have to start planting…
BISMARCK, N.D. – A minimal amount of precipitation so far this spring has caused drought conditions to worsen in North Dakota. According to the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map, areas that have some form of drought increased by 2.6% over the past week to more than 54% of the state. Drought has persisted in North Dakota for more than a…
MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) -Plans for the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion and Red River Valley Water Supply Project are picking up speed. The diversion is the first public-private partnership flood management project in North America. “Protection for the community is the most important part – anticipated to safeguard more than 235,000 people and 70 square miles overall, designed to withstand over a 100…
BISMARCK, N.D. – A storm system that is expected to bring snow to North Dakota late this week could help improve long-term drought conditions that persist in the state. Forecasters are expecting 2 to 4 inches of snow in the eastern half of the state with up to 6 inches in the northeastern corner of North Dakota. Wind gusts of…
BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s drought is easing with recent precipitation, but some areas of the state are still dealing with poor conditions. This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor map shows that no areas of the state are in exceptional drought, the worst category, and less than 10% of North Dakota is in extreme drought, the second worst category. By comparison,…
