The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management and Boat
and Water Division is fielding calls today regarding the state of
lake accesses in our area. Due to the melt, they are degrading at
a higher rate than we usually would expect in February. We urge the
following- before you drive onto the lake, get out and
walk the access and onto the ice to see if it is safe. If there is
water standing, there could also be a subsequent hole under
it to swallow your vehicle (insurance does not usually cover driving
into the water). Failure to be cautious can be very hard
on a pocketbook. It also would most likely irritate or harm your
passengers if they got a cold bath. Use the common sense
approach.
The access to Lake Bemidji off of Cameron Park has been closed,
effective Wednesday, February 16, 2011, by
Order of the Sheriff, due to the unsafe conditions found by our Boat
and Water officers. One car became partially
submerged today (no injuries) and had to be towed out. Do not attempt
access from anywhere in Cameron Park.
The access to Nymore Beach is also weak so extreme caution is urged.
However that remains open.
Snowmobilers should be particularly concerned about any areas where
rivers or creeks flow into lakes.
Water has been reported nearly covering Main Ave in Turtle River
between the 200 and 400 block (near the Town
Hall in downtown Turtle River). Use caution.
We have another insurance agency to add to the list of those that sell
flood insurance in our immediate area and a
correction to a phone number. Great Lakes Insurance at 444-4923 sells
the insurance and the previously listed phone
number for American Family; Bob Sandbo Agency should be 751-9798.
Sheriff Phil Hodapp
Emergency Management Director Beryl Wernberg
Mrs. Beryl Wernberg
911 Communications Supervisor/
Emergency Management Director
Beltrami County Sheriff's Office
613 Minnesota Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-333-8320 or fax 218-755-932
