SEVERE WEATHER INCIDENT
Press release from McKenzie County Sheriff's Office
DATE: 07/10/2018
TIME: 0251 CENTRAL TIME
SUBJECT: ***PRESS RELEASE ***
SEVERE WEATHER INCIDENT
On 07/10/2018 around 0045 hours CST there was a severe weather event in central McKenzie County, specifically Watford City, resulting in substantial damage to the Prairie View RV Park located at 304 16th Avenue SW in Watford City. Multiple 911 calls were received indicating subjects were trapped and injured inside Prairie View RV Park.
Initially, units from the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, Watford City Police Department, McKenzie County Ambulance Service and the Watford City Fire Department responded and found widespread destruction inside the RV Park. Additional assets were requested from the following agencies:
1. McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office
2. Watford City Fire and Rescue
3. McKenzie CO Ambulance
4. Watford City Police Dept
5. Arnegard Police Dept
6. Arnegard FST and Fire Dept
7. Alexander Fire and Rescue and FST
8. Keene Fire
9. Williams Co Sheriff’s Office
10. Williston Fire and Ambulance
11. Killdeer Ambulance
12. Grassy Butte FST
13. Dunn CO Sheriff’s Office
14. ND Highway Patrol
15. Sanford Airmed
16. Valley AirMed
17. ND Game and Fish
18. Williston Police Department
Preliminary reports indicate 28 injured civilians were treated at McKenzie County Hospital with at least 3 being flown by air ambulance and 6 others are critical and arrangements are being made for follow on care. Some of the injured have been released from the hospital, but the numbers are not known at this time.
Any displaced residents of the Prairie View RV Park or other damaged areas may respond to the Watford City Civic Center located 112 2nd Avenue NE for shelter.
Please avoid the area of Main Street from 6th Avenue SE to 24th Avenue SW in Watford City.
Any volunteers can go to the Subway located at 105 9th Avenue SE to check in and assist with the incident.
Any volunteers with assets like heavy equipment, light towers or any other equipment can check in with Incident Command located at Eagles located at 1904 of Main Street South and provide information on their capabilities.
There are currently wide spread power outages and crews are currently working to restore power as soon as practical.
Additional details will be released as they become available.
All media inquiries can be directed to Lt. Watkins by calling 701-444-3654.