Record flooding and wide-spread damage opened the eyes of many North Dakotans last year.

As we approach springtime this year, many of those people are doing what they can now to avoid a repeat later.

Reporter Kate Schell explains.

Melting snow and ice jams made waters rise last spring...And so did our awareness of the area's future flood potential

That's why Burleigh County Emergency Management is taking steps nowhoping to avoid a repeat of last year

(Mary Senger/Burleigh County Emergency Manager) "We experienced some slow melt and then some rapid melt and the rapid melt came really fast and there wasn't enough pre-planning." Because of that the county isn't letting the opportunity to be prepared float on by....They've already dove into planning..

One issue they're tackling is the lack of water gages-The county's new community watch program will monitor water levels more closely with the help of local residents

(Mary Senger/Burleigh County Emergency Manager) "We are going to look toward the people that live along those bodies of water that have the history, that know when something different is going on so they can communicate with us so we can more readily monitor some of those areas." These programs are expected to be in place as the snow begins to melts..

The county is hoping their proactive measures will fill in some of the gaps from last year

Senger, says they'll pre-filling and storing sandbags this yearin an effort to move faster when the water starts rising

(Mary Senger/Burleigh County Emergency Manager) "We want to give that to the community so they can have that opportunity." Another opportunity Burleigh County is jumping onboard with is the Silver Jackets Program....It's a way for the county to continue their flood response and planning while receiving help from federal and state agencies

(Mary Senger/Burleigh County Emergency Manager) "Because we can only plan in so far, as much as, what we know is going to help in here in reaction to the system but its somebody else's jurisdiction and somebody else's control of the Missouri River, so its integrating those two opportunities together." On a positive note-experts say the Missouri River doesnt appear to have as much ice on it this year, which was one of the major issues of flooding last year...The river channel is also open, which will allow water to flow more freely

With KX News, Im Kate Schell

In an effort to be more prepared, Burleigh County is adding cell phone numbers to their automatic notification system. Later this month, residents living in the flood plain will be able to log on to the county's website and register their cell phone. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list