Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown and other city officials say they are ready and waiting to provide assistance to their counterparts in flood-ravaged Duluth.
For now, Grand Forks officials are offering advice and support.
"We've been in contact with their mayor and essential personnel," Brown said Wednesday. "During the initial phase, you don't want to be in the way. You don't want to help until they tell you to."
East Grand Forks officials are also waiting. City Administrator Scott Huizenga, through a city employee, said, "Duluth officials have not requested assistance, but as soon as they do, we are ready and willing to help."
Brown said the pictures and video footage of the crush of floodwater invading Duluth renewed memories of the flood of 1997, which ravaged the Grand Forks area.
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"It looks like it did tremendous damage to roads and infrastructure," he said. "Those pictures are eye-opening. It brought me back."
Brown said he spoke Wednesday to Duluth Mayor Don Ness, who showed interest in the recovery process.
Brown is sending Duluth officials copies of "Lessons Learned," a 14-page document prepared after the city recovered from its flood.
"One thing we learned is document, document, document," he said. "There's assistance out there. We are sending them 'Lessons Learned' and we'll be available for consultation. If they need assistance, we'll be ready to go."
Reach Bieri at (701) 780-1118; (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or send email to cbieri@gfherald.com .
