ACC Completes Evacuation, Continues Flood Fight

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The Anne Carlsen Center in Jamestown, ND, has safely completed an evacuation prompted by the growing threat of overland flooding.

The Center was urged by emergency officials to evacuate late Monday afternoon. The evacuation lasted five hours, and in that time, a total of 56 children and young adults were evacuated, along with beds, medical equipment, and essential supplies.

ACC staff and volunteers from the community, including many student athletes from Jamestown College, assisted with the evacuation. Students are being accommodated at four locations in Jamestown: Jamestown Hospital, Ave Maria, Hi-Acres Manor Nursing Center and the Civic Center. ACC staff members are at each of these locations, working in partnership with our hosts, to provide quality care.

Anne Carlsen Center’s CEO, Dan Howell, says the evacuation was conducted in an efficient, cooperative manner.

“From the moment we made the decision to evacuate … until the last child and the last of the medical equipment left the building … it all went very smoothly,” said Howell. “The process couldn’t have gone any better.”

At Jamestown Hospital, where 19 ACC students with highly-complex medical needs are currently residing, ACC staff is providing continuity of care – medical, dietary, education, etc. – in partnership with the hospital. Structure and learning is being maintained at each of the four locations which have welcomed students with open arms.

“We feel so fortunate we are able to lend a hand and that we have the staff and the ability to help provide safe shelter,” said Cindy Gohner, the vice president of Clinical Services at Jamestown Hospital.

While students are getting situated in their new surroundings, the flood fight continues in earnest back at the Center. There are concerns about potential overland flooding, as well as ice jams forming on the James River, which winds through the Center’s campus. Sandbagging continued through the night. Additional volunteers are still needed to help fill 10,000 sandbags this afternoon.

“It has been humbling to see the number of volunteers from the community and from Jamestown College,” said Howell. “We are so thankful for the support.”

The Anne Carlsen Center was founded in 1941 and provides medical, therapeutic and educational care to students with a wide variety of disabilities, including autism, behavioral disorders, cerebral palsy and medical fragility.