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Minn. Nat'l Guard To Help In Flooded Minot

MINOT, N.D. (AP) -- Minnesota National Guard soldiers will be helping with the battle against Souris River flooding in Minot.

North Dakota Guard Lt. Col. Rick Smith says two rotations of 120 soldiers from Minnesota will be helping during July with various tasks. The Guard is helping with everything from water distribution to levee patrols to traffic management.

Smith says the North Dakota Guard has been battling floods since April. Nearly 2,000 North Dakota soldiers have been involved at some point. On Friday, 850 soldiers were on duty in Minot.

Smith says the Minnesota soldiers will come from various units. The first rotation is arriving Tuesday.

The Souris River has swamped thousands of homes and businesses in Minot after being swelled by heavy spring snowmelt and rain on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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