FARGO, N.D. (AP) - State and local officials say the devastation caused by flooding in Minot shows why it's important to fund permanent flood protection in the Fargo and Moorhead area.

A handful of people testified during a Senate Budget Committee hearing in Fargo Wednesday about a planned $1.8 billion Red River flood diversion project. The area has battled major flooding for
three straight years.

Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker told North Dakota Sens. Kent Conrad and John Hoeven that if the Fargo-Moorhead area experienced a flood similar to the one in Minot, it could result in losses of $6
billion. He said it shows that "dams and dikes are not the answer" for Fargo-Moorhead.

The senators urged local and state leaders to work together on funding because the current commitments are not enough.