Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Statewide Flooding Continues

Growing up in western North Dakota I have never really had experienced flooding. The Missouri River, as long as I have known, was always lower, and never a real threat.



That has changed. Mandatory evacuations were put into place at 3pm this afternoon for a portion of South Bismarck, right where my parents live. About 6 inches of SNOW had fallen in the morning and afternoon hours today. The Missouri River was high and ice jams were causing overland flooding. I received a brief email from my Dad this afternoon saying that they did some sandbagging and there was a lot of water in the yard already. I found a link to the Bismarck Tribune that had a video of my parents neighborhood this afternoon. This is so scary. Not knowing the outcome is the worst feeling ever.



Things have been going pretty good in Fargo today, considering. There were more volunteers helping with sandbagging then they expected, or were ready for. The filling and distributing of sandbags has gone on for 24 hours a day for the past few days. Many local university students (as well as UND students traveling from an hour north of here) have volunteered their time.

Supposedly 1.5 million bags have been filled. The plan is to fill 2 million. All man-made dikes need to be built to 42 feet, as the river should max out at 41. We have about another 24 hours to prepare for this flood. Then, the temps are going to drop below freezing and you can not pile frozen sandbags; it just doesn't work.



People are being advised to go home and rest tonight. Throughout the night, the dikes will be measured and made sure they are up to par. If there is just one part that isn't the right height or width, it can cause a good portion of the dike to go down.


There is so much flooding going on across the state of ND and portions of Western MN. This weather is truly insane and rediculous. And we all are ready for it to be done and over with.

20 comments:

Lora Abernathy said...

YIKES! I'm from West Virginia (major flooding state) and flooding is serious business. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Laurel said...

I saw this on the news last night and was thinking of you. They said last night they only had 300,000 sandbags, I'm glad they have filled so many more.

I was thinking of you. I have to say, I do not miss the hurricanes we had in Miami all the time. It was always so scary.

I'm sending you and your family good thoughts.

Carly said...

I hope everyone is safe. What a mess with the snow! I will be thinking of you and your family.

Unknown said...

I hope all is well tonight and everything goes as planned to keep people safe.

I Run for Fun said...

Thinking of you, hoping everyone remains safe and things go back to normal real soon!

Aka Alice said...

Doesn't all that water know to not mess with the teacher?

I'm thinking and praying for you tonight...take care of yourself...

Anonymous said...

Very scary stuff; it sounds like you are doing all you can. Thinking of you and your family and I hope it all works out OK

Sherry said...

I've been thinking about your for the last few days. The conditions in you area made our local news.

I understand how scary this stuff can be. My town was ground zero for Hurricane Charley in 2004 and the stress from events like these can often be intolerable.

Keep your chin up, stay safe... this will pass.

Shannon said...

Wow, I'm so sad for you and your family. I watched the video and felt the impact of your situation above mere words. I'm praying for you and your family today. I wish I could come join the sandbagging to help out.

Stay safe...

Holly said...

This weather is insane! I cannot wait until it's all over! I hope everything goes okay for your parents!

Anonymous said...

I hope you all stay safe. I like how everyone is working together. Hope the weather cooperates.

Unknown said...

flooding was a concern in the place where I lived before moving to NM. Several years ago, that place had a horrible flood. So I understand the concern. I wish I could help somehow.

Will they evacuate if needed? And is there somewhere to go if that time comes?

Carolina John said...

man, i hope your folks' house is ok. hang in there, it's got to stop raining sometime.

Marlene said...

Just want you to know I'm thinking of you and your family through all of this. I hope everyone and everything is okay...

COTY said...

hope everyone keeps safe. Thinking of you !

Wes said...

That's just nasty... I'm thinking about you guys constantly :-(

Ms Eva said...

Oh ... how frustrating and scary. We'll keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Aron said...

that is so scary :( my thoughts are with you guys!!!

Badgergirl said...

Scary! My thoughts are with you and your family!

Runner Leana said...

Wow, that video was scary for sure... It is amazing that so many people are out to volunteer and help. My thoughts are with you and your family. Hope you continue to stay safe there!