JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Hope was the overall message from state and local leaders in Jamestown during a town hall to discuss the ongoing flood emergency in the region.

Governor Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehering, along with state, county, and local leaders, held an open forum Monday afternoon in Jamestown to discuss the top concerns for area farmers, ranchers, producers, and residents after one of the wettest falls and unprecedented October snowfall created flooding conditions across the state.

Governor Burgum addressed the crowd of more than 300 from Barnes, Stutsman, Foster, Logan, Kidder, and LaMoure counties first.

Burgum says at this time, the state faces billions of dollars of loss with crops still in the ground.

Burgum also addressed the signed executive order today (Monday) declaring a statewide flood emergency.

Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring informed the crowd that there was still a lot of crop in the ground for many farmers.

Goehring also stressed the importance of addressing mental health in times of crisis, stressing that farmers are more important that the crop stuck in the fields.

Goehring encouraged farmers and producers to talk with family and ensure their mental health was addressed during the stressful times.

Producers, leaders, and farmers all got a chance to give their concerns to the delegation. Burgum pointed out that North Dakota had the highest rate of farmer suicides in the last 20 years.

Stutsman County NDSU Extension Agent Alicia Harstad stated they had been taking information from area ranchers and their ongoing concerns, which included cattle feed and resources for the winter.

Extension Agent Christina Rittenbach pointed out that they would continue to provide different resources to farmers and ranchers in need.

North Dakota Major General Alan Dohrmann also addressed the mental health side of concerns.

Farmers were encouraged to call 211 or the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 if they needed someone to talk to.

Eight counties and four cities in North Dakota have issued flood emergency declarations so far, with more expected. Emergencies have been declared in the counties of Barnes, Cavalier, Grand Forks, LaMoure, Stutsman, Traill, Walsh and Wells and the cities of Grand Forks, Jamestown, LaMoure and Valley City.

Flooding Town Hall in Jamestown

Listen to the whole town hall below: