This week’s news that the Minot area was in line for an Army Corps of Engineers study for flood protection is another significant advancement for the region. Coming just weeks after announcement that Minot had been selected for a significant amount of National Disaster Resilience Contest funding, it has been a stellar period for the people of the community. This most recent news also bodes well for a future in which disastrous flooding such as in the past will be less of a threat.

Credit is due North Dakota’s entire delegation, which worked across party lines, to get Minot’s case to the correct authorities. Earlier this year, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told the Minot Daily News that he was virtually certain this would happen and he has followed through. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.,was a tireless advocate as well. Finally, Minot’s city leaders did an admirable job at telling Minot’s story and relating the significance of this effort.

However, this is but the first of many steps. The study can take a lengthy period of time and it is just phase one of a complicated process to see real improvements in terms of flood protection. The timeline is uncertain, even if Minot can be assured that our voices in D.C. and in Bismarck continue their strong advocacy through the entire process.

There is one more factor to perhaps temper optimism. The flood in 2011 was a natural disaster, yes, but perhaps not unavoidable. The area very well might not have taken the damage that it did had there not also been human failure. At one level, or perhaps many levels, human failure contributed to the scope of damage – failure to communicate, failure of foresight and.or failure of leadership. This too needs to be taken into consideration.

No study, no funding, no plan can mitigate for human failure on this scale.

Last month, the Minot Daily News launched a monthly series having a look back five years to the month at the factors building that led to the 2011 flood. In July, MDN will feature a comprehensive look back, and also a look at what has changed and what risk remains.