Homeland Security secretary says feds are prepared for Red River flooding

Janet Napolitano, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), insists the federal government is ready to provide whatever assistance is needed to the flood-ravaged Red River Valley. “We understand the seriousness of the situation,” Napolitano told reporters on a conference call this afternoon. “It’s historically unprecedented, and we want to make sure we do everything possible for the people of North Dakota and of Minnesota.”

The Red River is now projected to crest at 42 feet at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The Coast Guard has already rescued 82 people who got trapped in the flood waters, according to Napolitano. The federal government has 50 heavy-duty vehicles, 7 boats and 14 aircraft in the area to assist with additional rescues and monitor the levees for failures. The DHS also has gathered enough food and water in the area to provision 30,000 people for a week.

Napolitano stressed that any decisions about evacuations will be made at the local level. So far, roughly one-third of Moorhead residents have been asked to evacuate.

The former Arizona governor also stated that she briefed President Obama on the situation this morning and will do so again this evening. “He’s watching it very, very carefully,” she said.

(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)