Flooded residents of Bismarck-Mandan had to wait months for the water to retreat from their properties, and the wait to get their homes fixed could stretch for many more.

Companies that do demolition and cleaning work for homes are booked with work, and money has been slow to arrive from federal agencies. At the same time, the chances of repeat flooding or lingering environmental problems are making it more prudent for some people to wait to rebuild. From The Bismarck Tribune.