The Pierce County Commission adopted an emergency declaration last week, the initial step necessary to have access to state and possibly federal funds toward repair of roads and culverts damaged by overland flooding.

The declaration was made at the commissioners’ April 7 meting and will be forwarded to the state emergency management office.

Excessive water runoff this spring from above-average precipitation this past fall and winter have already caused some sections of damaged roads to be closed.

It’s likely more roads will be affected in the coming weeks once temperatures rise and more melting occurs. Pierce is one of a handful of counties, many in eastern North Dakota, that have declared emergencies due to flooding.

Gov. Hoeven would have to request a federal disaster declaration, and it would need President Obama’s approval for counties to be eligible for federal funds to be used toward repairs of public infrastructure.