Flood

jjaszkow · Posted: Mar 26, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject: Flood

The city that I live in is currently under a threat of severe flooding, and the river is predicted to crest higher than the record recorded in 1897. Unfortunately I am halfway around the world from my home right now, so I have to rely on updates from my wife and friends on the flood situation. It's pretty nerve wracking to watch this all from afar.

There is an amazing volunteer effort (aided by various government organizations as well) that is working around the clock to ensure that the city does NOT flood. The city has now started to evacuate some areas, which is quite worrisome to me. My home is in one of the potential evacuation areas, but we are pretty far away from the river. Unfortunately, a lot of these efforts don't extend to rural areas that don't have the same flood protection that the city has, and many homes have been flooded in areas outside the city.

I remember the 1997 flood where many people lost their homes, especially in a city about 75 miles north of ours. I personally worked around the clock at a friends house that eventually was destroyed. I hope that it doesn't come to this again, but the crest will be a few feel higher than in 1997.

I fly back on Saturday, and I hope that I won't be returning to a disaster.

Please keep the city of Fargo and the surrounding areas in your thoughts while we are under this threat of flood, especially those who's homes are already affected. nickl011 (wb.com'er) lives a bit north of me, outside the city, so I hope he is ok.

A video from one of my co-workers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZU4ZsWHcKc

The current river levels:
http://moist.dreamhosters.com/flood/level2009/

Some recent news:
http://www.inforum.com/

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

Good luck out there jjaszkow ! Hope Fargo can keep this thing under control.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Thoughts and prayers with all of you up there!

Mitchell · Posted: Mar 27, 2009 8:37 am Post subject:

Goodluck man shits gettin outa hand there and lots of places in Minnesota too.

jjaszkow · Posted: Mar 29, 2009 8:51 am Post subject:

Thanks guys. I flew in yesterday, and it was amazing looking at all the overland flooding.

They were constantly flying helicoptors and UAV's up and down the river, and I can hear a lot of truck activity from my house.

It looks like the water levels are receeding somewhat, but they predict the river will remain high (~38 feet) for at least a week. I hope that everything that has been done holds until the danger is past. I'll be filling sandbags this afternoon, and I might snap some pictures of the river later.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

jjaszkow, good to hear that it is not still rising. Hopefully all the efforts to keep the water back hold. I've been watching the efforts of the people and it should be applauded...great teamwork and way to get out there and take care of yourselves!

buckthis · Posted: Mar 29, 2009 2:28 pm Post subject:

I got a brother that lives in Fargo, but I haven't heard from him, so I guess he's alright. He works at the university, but probably has an appartment on the 2nd or third floor to stay away from the flooding.

nickl011 · Posted: Apr 01, 2009 12:42 pm Post subject:

Worked my ass off for 4 days along with family, friends and neighbors to protect our house. Never had any water. I would have tried making a thread earlier, but my house had terrible internet connection.

The National Weather Service had predicted the Red River would crest around 41-42ft with a possibility of 43. It got just shy of 41ft.

If the river had risen to 42ft, I'm thinkin most of Fargo would be under water, as many business and buildings are at that elevation or lower. That and many of the earthan dikes had sprung leaks and weren't quite tall enough.

But as previously stated, the vounteer and National Gaurd effort was amazing. Volunteers filled 3.4 million sandbags in less than a week's time.

Many homes were lost in the flood of 1997 with a crest of 39.7ft. But the community pulled together and beat a record setting flood with minimal casualties.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Good to hear!

Swass · Guest

OK, I'm just gonna throw this one out there, but....maybe it's not such a good idea to live on a $*#_)# flood plain!

I'm surprised anyone would sell flood insurance to those living there.

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

Swass, true.

I don't know why they don't build up the dike to handle it.

jjaszkow · Posted: Apr 02, 2009 10:40 am Post subject:

Swass and finkle, both points well taken. The dike IS built to deal with a river level that's well above normal flooding. This year's river level has exceeded anything on recorded record. I am not 100% certain, but I think that Fargo is good to at least 36 feet with minor preparations, and right now Fargo's dikes have been built up to 42 feet to address the unprecidented flood. Grand Forks (the city that completely flooded in 1997) has since built up their flood control to prevent a reocurrence.

Due to how flat the area is, it is very prone to overland flooding, however very little of the city of Fargo is in what is considered the 100 year flood plain. Most of the flooded homes that they've shown on the news are actually in rural areas and not in the city.