Table 5. Trauma Signature for the 2011 Flood Threats.
| Forces of Harm | Psychological Risk Factors |
FARGO ND | MINOT ND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazard | Threat of exposure to flood waters | Potential damaging flood threat to entire Fargo population of 105,000. Three weeks at high flood stage | Potential catastrophic flood threat for 10–15,000 of the 41,000 Minot citizens living directly in the Souris River Valley |
| Direct exposure to flood waters | None | 4,100 housing units submerged 11,000 displaced: severe impact for entire city population |
|
| Fear of life-threat | Life threat: minimal | Life threat: minimal | |
| Fear of property damage | Fear of threat to property: moderate but widespread |
Fear of threat to property: extreme and widespread | |
| Physical injuries | No major injuries | No life-threatening injuries | |
| Loss | Deaths due to flooding | No flood deaths | No flood deaths |
| Loss of primary dwelling | No primary dwellings lost | 4,100 homes damaged, Up to 20% beyond repair |
|
| Loss of business | No businesses lost | Extensive loss/damage to downtown businesses | |
| Economic losses | $ millions for “flood fight” Future flood protection in vulnerable areas: $160 million River diversion cost: $1.7 billion |
Exceeding $2 billion (taxpayer cost to Minot-$500 million) | |
| Change |
Relocation/ Displacement |
No individuals or households relocated or displaced | 11,000 evacuated |
| Dependence on public shelter | No public shelters opened | 16,000 shelter nights of stay provided – up to 350 sheltered citizens per night Low percentage use of shelters |
|
| Sheltering with family, friends | 2 households | 8,000–9,000 initially homeless Most stayed with other families |
|
| Lack of access to basic needs | No lack of access to basic needs as a result of the flood event-road, including interstate detours | City was divided into north/south. North end lacked grocery stores, health care until satellites arranged. Boil order impacted water supply | |
| Lack of power, essential services | No lack of power or essential services as a result of the flood event. | Power outages widespread Loss of access to medical care, essential services due to city “cut in half” by flood waters |