Recent Event Highlights: North Dakota flood operations continue as Georgia drenched, Blizzard following flood (e), Why the Red River Floods, by Zayd, 8, The People of Fargo Define The 'Art' of Sandbagging, Grand Forks Flood 2009 Panoramic Photo, Fargo Floods No End in Sight, and 18 more...
Created by lilacina on Mar 30, 2009
Last updated: 03/05/10 at 11:42 AM
Flooding in the Great Plains has no followers yet. Be the first one to follow.
Floods are the most common of all natural disasters, For the first time since the invention of the sandbag, their is now a plastic portable enclosure to protect your automobile or personal effects in your home from flood damage. must see this to believe it.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-240879?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Flood operations continue in North Dakota, while missions in Minnesota and Louisiana have wrapped up and Georgia monitors the situation after heavy rains over the weekend. For full details:North Dakota flood operations continue as Georgia drenched
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-240748?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Pics of the blizzard that came after the first crest of the flood in North Fargo by Trollwood Park.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-238656?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Pics of the blizzard that came after the first crest of the flood in North Fargo by Trollwood Park.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-238656?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
I’d like to tell a story of gratitude, one you may not have heard. On Friday, March 27, an order came from North Dakota Governor John Hoeven that a certain “vulnerable population” should be evacuated from flood-threatened Fargo. I, being unashamedly included, as well as perhaps 100 people, were bussed to the Red River Valley Fairgrounds, where we were then sent to various cities outside Fargo. I was sent to Mayville State University, where cots were ready for us in the gymnasium. The Red Cross and the National Guard did their finest at accommodating us, and though we may have been uncomfortable in a strange place, we were very warmly received.On Sunday it became possible to safely move closer to Fargo, and I was bussed to West Fargo. As the Red River was ever so slowly inching down from its historic crest, a blizzard swept the region, leaving a foot of snow and a gnawing uncertainty about the river’s behavior. At Cheney Middle school, I rejoined many people I knew and waited out the storm. Then came the difficult wait for the all-clear signal from the city so we could finally go home.I am nervous by nature and thought I would not do well with all my fellow evacuees. But with the gracious help of the Red Cross, the National Guard, the police, and Dr. Andrew McLean (who coordinated Human Services), we somehow pulled together as a community and stayed safe from the disaster around us. I for one am grateful to these people, both officials and fellow shelter-dwellers, for keeping me calm, informed, and well-fed. Red Cross people, nurses, and other volunteers too numerous to mention helped all of us in every way possible.Today, April 1, I am home, and by Thursday everyone will be home. In my final photograph I include a clock, one that could have been a prison but instead became, at least for me, a safe-haven.Thank you. So as not to be sticky sweet, I've randomly included a photo of a bison and his/her calf from Cheney Shelter, not to be confused with the people amongst whom it is included.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-238622?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Zayd Amundson of Fargo, ND, explains why the Red River is prone to flooding using a bathroom sink and countertop.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-238562?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
This past week an amazing war was waged on the Red River by the citizens of Fargo, North Dakota. One of the main defenses was the production of over 3 million sandbags and the creation of dikes with those sandbags that protected hundreds of river side homes and the cities of Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota from the rising waters. Anyone that witnessed the building of these protective walls would soon discover that contrary to the belief of most engineers, sandbagging is truly an art as much as it is a science. If you were present, you would quickly learn that the key ingredient of the 'art of sandbagging' are the people of the Red River Valley and the surrounding area who orchestrated this process as if it were a symphony rather than a desperate attempt to save their homes and lives. These people did not wait for someone else to solve their problems - they took action themselves. These people did not wait to be asked - they simply showed up and offered their help. These people did not boss one another - they worked together on putting a plan in place and then executed that plan. These people did not complain - they talked, laughed, and encouraged others. These people were not assuming - they fed those that helped and could not express their appreciation enough. These people did not expect thanks - they did it because they cared. These people did not quit - they were relentless andthey never said die. These people were not bigots - they were of all ages, races, religions, and social statuses. These people were not victims - they were heroes. These heroes in Fargo, North Dakota truly defined the 'art of sandbagging' and set an example that the whole nation can learn from in dealing with whatever adversity may be presented to us in our lives.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-238276?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Christine - here are some more pictures that were taken on Sun. March 29, 2009.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-238146?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Went out and took a few pictures and stitched them together using WIndows Live Photo Galler.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-238170?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
I called the Mayor's Office in Fargo, today March 31 and was told that they have this threatening flood under control. I spoke to one Kimber, Secretary to the Commissioners, in the Mayor's Office. They said that their engineers are working on a solution. I think this is a shame. This problem has existed from long ago. They have resorted to when it happens to cause the whole world to focus on their third worldism. I expect a perpetual problem to exist in the Third World, not in America. I do not believe that they have any thing under control or will solve it soon. The next time conditions similar to now return, there will be more floods. I was told that no one has ever died due to this flooding; but animals have, property damage, and the ridiculous efforts of sand bagging. The news shows that 2 cardiac arrests are attributed to his current flooding. I hope this time they fix this problem.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-238117?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Pvt. Christopher McKay (center), of the 188th Engineer Company, passes sandbags in the midst of civilian flood fighting volunteers north of Fargo, N.D., March 27. The sandbaggers are patching an area of a sandbag dike that is seeping flood water. Six states send troops to flood duty in North Dakota
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237991?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment, check on flooding in a residential area along the Red River in Moorhead, Minn., March 26. As of March 30, governors in six upper Midwestern states have sent more than 2,400 National Guard members and some much-needed equipment to help fight flooding in the area. Six states send troops to flood duty in North Dakota
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237988?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
We were displaced from our home last Wed. Here are some pictures for your news story.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237980?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
As you know we have a snow storm here. I decided to report on what you cannot see in Fargo and Moorhead today, but that you might enjoy seeing up close and personal.Details from the Veterans Memorial Bridge: The Red River Valley is one of the flattest landscapes on Earth. At Fargo-Moorhead it is 900 feet above sea level. Glacial Lake Agassiz, at its maximum, was over 300 feet deep where downtown Fargo and Moorhead sit today.The Red twists and turns on its way to Lake Winnipeg.The evergreen at the bridge from Sunday, Mar 29, photos. In the upper right, see the newly established park, this is now underwater.The photo of Rose Creek Coulee shows the bicycle path, foot bridge and north side.Although I feel weather in Fargo and Moorhead should be a tourist attraction, there are sites to see, natural and manmade wonders to explore. Birders enjoy the river parks and the grasslands.The white roof of the Hjemkomst Center from the bridge. The building houses a replica Viking ship that sailed the Atlantic.Former President George W. Bush's hand and footprints at the Celebrity Walk of Fame. It is not under water but is currently under multiple inches of snow.You need to magnify the dots you see the the sky. In this photo from 2007, the dots from the rooftop on the left to the right edge are geese and ducks returning north along the Red and its tributaries. Just before the blizzard three weeks ago, the migration north began. As soon as the warm weather returns, they will all come. This scene lasted nearly 20 minutes. From inside the house, suddenly you hear them. It is the same when they go south in winter. They fill some section of the sky near Rose Creek and can stretch across, east to west, from beyond the Red to beyond Interstate 29. There are thousands. Yes, they are loud.Once in a lifetime hail that fell in the wee hours. I hope you'd not see this when you visit, for it was at least as loud as the birds and quite destructive.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237977?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Evan Amundson, 11, from Fargo, ND, talks about the recent blizzard that hit the city, the flooding, and how he like many kids are going stir crazy from being out of school for almost 2 weeks.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237937?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
These pictures capture the most recent snowfall in Fargo nd. Rain, slush, wind, and water, next we will be under a tornado warning.We accumulated about 5 inches of the wettest snow I have ever seen. I have lived in Minnesota with snow for 19 years, this snow is really weird. When you step on this snow the water actually seeps out of the snow, like wringing out a towel.These pictures are of students bicycles located outside a residence hall at North Dakota State University. The NDSU campus was closed on Monday the 23rd, after returning from spring break. The campus will remain closed until April 6th, unless something major happens. Students have been out of classes since Friday march 13th.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237853?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
In South Fargo, the National Guard patrols those areas where clay dikes have walled off those homes near the drainage areas to the river. National guard helicopter surveys combined with drone aircraft. Massive clay dikes the width of a single lane in a roadway stand 6 feet high separating neighbors and requiring residents to park outside the barriers. Small bridges have been built in this residential neighborhood where the flood waters appear to sit in an elevated pool held in by sandbags. A head on view of those same sandbags show the water level sitting near the middle of the wall. Normally, this huge apparent lake is merely a 3-4 foot wide creek at the bottom of a large grassed area 20 feet below. The large front loader stands in the foreground in the school multifield soccer yard under the National Guard chopper overhead. These fields are now turned in to a giant clay mine 50 feet deep. The organization of Fargo city leaders was nothing less than outstanding and highly organized. They coordinated with wonderful determination along with the great people of Fargo who are beating the river as a new snow storm threatens a foot of snow tonight on the dikes. Dike watches continue by the neighborhood volunteers and National Guard where neighbors care for neighbors.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237708?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
The people of Fargo and Moorhead worked together with official local, state and federal organizations with great spirit to defend the city. The major hospital in town was evacuated in an exercise of seamless and highly successful logistics. These photos were taken at the peak of the flood waters in a local neighborhood in South Fargo. School fields shown were mined for clay in 50 foot created craters. Dikes are monitored by neighborhood volunteers. Clay secondary dikes line lanes in suburban streets. We are now on our way to a more permanent solution to this problem. Local talk refer to the Army Core of Engineers current evaluation of a permanent solution with possible bilateral floodways on the North Dakota and Minnesota sides of the Red River of the North to divert potential flood waters in the future. The rest of the country may view the great residents of Fargo and Moorhead as a model for civil defense , organization, and volunteerism where neighbors care for neighbors.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237706?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
As the waters started rising last Tuesday outside of their Absaraka, North Dakota home, Tanner and Abbilynn Monilaws were preparing for their state Destination ImagiNation competition. Boxes of tinfoil, magic markers and cardboard littered their garage. Tanner looked over his team’s script, memorizing each line and looking for ways to “add some humor”. Abbilynn was busily wrapping duct tape around dowel rods hoping to create the ultimate propulsion system. Neither child seemed overly concerned with the ever raising creek that flows just feet from their backdoor, they were too interested in perfecting their DI Challenge. Destination ImagiNation, or DI, is a national competition of critical thinking and problem solving for children from elementary to university level. Teams compete in challenges that range from mechanical and architectural design to scientific exploration to fine arts and improvisation. This is Tanner’s 5th year of DI, Abbi’s 3rd. Along with their Destination ImagiNation teams, both children have put in endless hours readying themselves for the March 28th state tournament. “We’re doing improv this year. We only have 30 minutes to make all of our costumes and write our skit. It’s really hard, but it’s lots of fun and you really have to think on your feet.” explains Abbi. Tanner’s team is competing in Challenge B: Instinct Messaging. “We are doing a skit on Watergate and Nixon from a fish in a fish tank’s point of view. It’s a little complicated to explain, but it’s really cool.” However, in the wee hours of March 26, the children received the news they had been dreading: The tournament had to be canceled due to the current flood conditions in North Dakota. Abbilynn cried when given the news “But this was supposed to be our year! We got second twice, we were gonna (sic) win this year! We were gonna (sic) make it to Globals!” Instead of spending Saturday competing, both Tanner and Abbilynn spent the day contributing to the flood effort. Abbi babysat for volunteer’s children while Tanner helped turn the local Catholic Church into an evacuation center for a Fargo nursing home. Their own school was also put to use as an evacuation center and field hospital. School, for now, is canceled until further notice. THE INVITATION As their dreams of competing at the Global Destination ImagiNation competition in Knoxville, TN faded, wonderful news came via email: “an invitation was extended from DI Inc. to each and every team who was registered in Challenges A through E for the North Dakota Affiliate tournament to share their Challenge solutions with the Appraisers at Globals.” Shrieks of joy could be heard throughout the Monilaws’ home. They made it, they were going to Globals! Finally, a little good news amidst all the bad. However, as quickly as good news comes, reality once again shows its ugly head. THE NEW CHALLENGE There are seven Destination ImagiNation teams at Tanner and Abbilynn’s school. That’s 46 team members or, and more importantly, that’s nearly $35,000 that must be raised in less than 8 weeks. In a town of 1,800, in a state that’s currently underwater, in a country that’s facing one of the worst economic times in history, that’s a figure that seems completely out of reach. Out of reach or not, it’s a figure that everyone is determined to reach. Fundraising is always a part of Destination ImagiNation. Each spring Tanner and Abbilynn go door to door selling geraniums and pizzas. This year they are going to have to sell much more than ever before. “Each child is going to have to sell at least $400 worth of items. That will just cover room and board for Globals. Not transportation, not any extras, that’s going to have to be covered by each family. If we work, if we sell, sell, sell, we can do this!” said Lisa Gebeke at a hastily held meeting of Team Managers. So, even before the water has receded or school has reconvened, Tanner and Abbi have taken on a new challenge, the challenge of super fundraising. It’s a daunting task, but these children are from North Dakota, and if we’ve learned anything this past week it’s that people from North Dakota never give up!
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237714?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Mother Nature has a sense of humor... It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here! Oh wait... April Fools Day is still 2 days away... Here is the scene in Fargo today on South University Drive where it is closed at 40th Ave S. As heavy snow and possible blizzard conditions moved into Fargo Monday, work continued to shore up levees and monitor dikes. On a positive note... the snowflakes are Huge and really very pretty... it's covering up all the mud everywhere.Second image: A backhoe sits near an enormous pit on the grounds of Discovery Middle School. Several south side school grounds provided dirt used to build earth dikes. The 3 story, 1000 student school behind the backhoe, is completely blocked from view by the heavy snow
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237668?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
On March 29, 2009, Sunday morning at approximately 2AM, a major breach occurs in a permanent dike holding the Red River of the North's surging flood waters outside of Oak Grove Lutheran School's Campus. The resultant flooding puts several buildings in jeopardy of catastophic damage.Regular patrols of the dike wall to monitor the extent of seepage of water underneath it and through its seams, had allowed for swift emergency response by National Guard members, including the utilization of Black Hawk helicopters dropping "sand bombs" near the breached wall. Calling the operation a "Bomb drop" is a misnomer, as the situation called for delicate placement on the compromised protective barrier.With the situation more stable a rescue of the campus structures is safe enough to attempt. Starting with a small volunteer crew of mostly Oak Grove School staff, students, and a few other Fargo residents, and blossoming into a full-fledged National Guard operation, the effort to protect buildings on campus from even worse flood damage ensues.After several hours of hauling sandbags from the side of campus near one side of its protective dike system, to the center of campus and into two different buildings, tired volunteers celebrate the declining level of flood water in building basements and in the outdoor central campus area.Among the volunteers are Oak Grove School Music teacher Roxanne Weyrauch Meinert and her husband Jeremy Meinert, interviewed by fellow volunteer Aaron Quaday.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237583?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
This panoramic photo of the flooding Red River was taken Sunday, March 29th. It was taken from the Moorhead, MN side of the river looking across to Fargo. The bridge is the Veterans Memorial Brige, which connects the two cities.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237623?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
These photos were taken of the flood fighting efforts in Fargo, North Dakota.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237315?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
I am currently reading the book Collapse by Jared Diamond. What a great read! He examines the collapse of civilizations like Easter Island and the Maya and draws parrallels to current conditions in our society. I thought about all the labor it took to make the big statues on Easter Island and also how much labor is being expended this week to shore up the levees in the Great Plains. I commend everyone who has pitched in to avert disaster. I was inspired to make this video while reading this book and reflecting on current affairs in our country, world, community, and in the blogosphere. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR3Nguwax2c&feature=channel_page(music by the Stills) Climate change wreaks havoc on civilizations. Overpopulation creates overtaxation of local environments. Starvation, war, and disease are just some of the likely outcomes from food and water shortages. Preparing for the future requires foresight as well as hindsight. Uncertainty is inevitable. When people are afraid and confused, emotions surface. The ireport community has seen a lot of emotions raging and many of our beloved have been banned. Tolerance and love would be real handy right about now! Enjoy the video!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR3Nguwax2c&feature=channel_page
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237585?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
NORTH DAKOTA FLOODING 15 MILES NORTH OF FARGO AT ARGUSVILLE
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237556?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
[PART 3 OF TEN] OF A TOUR OF FLOODING NORTH OF FARGOCOAST GAURD RESCUE CONT.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237498?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
[PART 3] OF A TOUR OF FLOODING NORTH OF FARGOCOAST GAURD RESCUE CONT.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237498?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
FLOOD TOUR PART 2COAST GAURD RESCUE
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237496?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
FLOOD TOUR STARTING AT HARWOOD NORTH DAKOTA .12 MILES NORTH OF FARGO {PART ONE}
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237494?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
This is a video of the Red River of the North that was taken from the Moorhead, MN side. It was taken on March 29 on the Center Avenue bridge facing towards the Veterans Memorial Bridge. It shows a train going, as my friend pointed out, really fast directly over the river. The river was all the way up to the bottom of the train tracks and all of the bridges, including the one I was on. Closing all but one bridge connecting Moorhead to Fargo.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237465?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
After an early morning breach in the dike that flooded the Oak Grove school campus, the Fargodome was again filled with volunteers making sandbags for reinforcements and backup.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237316?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
From MsMarti: (excerpt) I debated about posting more news on what is happening up here in Fargo, North Dakota. It certainly doesn't relate to Iraq, Afghanistan or even the war effort. We are fighting a battle, against a flooded river that is. What it does relate to is how individuals within a community and within a state make that TWO states have pulled together and how our National Guardsmen and Army Corps of Engineers helped us as we turned the odds in our favor. The Rest of the Story: Red River Rising
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237313?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Volunteers pass sandbags through my cousin's house from the garage to the dike in the backyard. She lives along the river in south Fargo. The sandbags were frozen and put in the garage to unthaw. The narrowest path was right through her living room.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237218?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
Stairs set up over the contingency dike to let family members into their homes to gather supplies and check damage. The stairs also allow National Guardsmen in to secure the dike.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-237217?ref=feeds%2Ftopics%2F234904
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