Bismarck city officials explain the stormwater system and warn citizens to stay away from flooded streets

BISMARCK, ND (KFYR) – Following Tuesday’s significant rains, Bismarck city officials are warning residents to refrain from driving on flooded streets.

Rain amounts varied across Bismarck, with some areas reporting totals of nearly four inches north of the State Capitol grounds and 2.75 inches in north Bismarck in a short span of less than an hour.

“The large amount of rainfall that Bismarck received today caused a variety of problems for the people of Bismarck,” said Michelle Klose, Director of Operations for the City of Bismarck Public Works. “We advise people not to attempt to drive through moving water or on water. It may only take a few inches of water for a vehicle to lose control on a flooded street or cause an engine to stall. We also ask for your patience with our stormwater systems. This system is designed to handle a certain intensity of rain. When the rain is more intense, this overloads the system and the roads become the conduit for the movement of rainwater.”

Burleigh County is helping Bismarck by starting the Tavis Pumping Station to move water from the city’s southern drainage ditch to the Missouri River.

More information about the city’s stormwater system is available online.

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