MN & ND Flooding

[sledchick]

This situation isn't looking so good, the Red River Valley seems to flood every year, but cresting over 41 feet is over the record of the 1997 floods. I was planning on helping with sandbagging, since it isn't too far, just hoping it isn't going to be as bad as they are predicting.
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=553878&catid=2

 

[NDflatlander]

I was planning on sandbagging as well, but it's starting to look like I won't be able to get there. It appears as though I94 is closed west of Fargo and I29 south of Fargo. I think I'll stick around here and sandbag.

What I can't figure out is why there was so litle action before this week. The ground was saturated before the snow and we got a lot of snow this winter. I think someone dropped the ball on this.

 

[sledchick]

Looks like I'll be leaving here 6am tomorrow to go sandbag. I'm kinda pi$$ed my school hasn't said much of anything for volunteering on this. You guys got a lot of snow up there this year, plus looks like more on the way this weekend..not good! The Mississippi runs by my school, and that is starting to look high..the ground just can't take it.

 

[viperxc]

What I can't figure out is why there was so litle action before this week. The ground was saturated before the snow and we got a lot of snow this winter. I think someone dropped the ball on this.[/QUOTE]

What makes you think so little was done? A lot of earthen dikes are completed, those sand barrier walls are going up and of course the sandbags are being put together.

 

[decarls]

You going on the bus from St.Cloud? I talked to a friend this morning who has family in Whapeton. He said their farm is going to be alright, they built a very large dike after '97 but a lot of other places that didn't put forth the effort or couldn't afford to are going to be hurting again.
Best of luck to everyone.

 

[NDflatlander]

What I can't figure out is why there was so litle action before this week. The ground was saturated before the snow and we got a lot of snow this winter. I think someone dropped the ball on this.

What makes you think so little was done? A lot of earthen dikes are completed, those sand barrier walls are going up and of course the sandbags are being put together.[/QUOTE]

I know there have been dikes built and continuous improvements since '97, I'm not oblivious to what is going on. I'm not necessarily talking about the permanent flood solutions.

I know the clay dikes can't be set up on the streets until they are absolutely necessary to limit the disruption. However, why can't there be a little sandbag preparation before they are absolutely needed? Some sore of flooding is pretty much inevitable in Fargo in the spring. There was and is knowledge that at least a minimum amount of sandbags are needed every year. Why the 24 hr. scramble to make sandbags? Fargo knew they were going to have trouble with water this year. there have been predictions sometime in Jan. Why wait until the 11th hour? With that said, I helped as much as i could for a 15 yr old in '97 and have plans to going and help in someway either, there, Valley City, or here. I just don't think it needs to be the scramble if there had been a little more foresight. Fargo isn't the only city around the area that I think dropped the ball. Valley City held meetings after the river rose 10 ft. on Sun. night and started sandbagging last night and are doing it again today and likely until they receive their crest of the Sheyenne next week. Most of the areas received enough rain that it was impossible or near impossible to get the crops off last fall. It was pretty common knowledge that the ground was saturated and we received 60+ inches of snow this year. These places are in valleys, of course they are going to flood. Common sense would tell a person that it's going to be an interesting spring...

 

[sledchick]

You going on the bus from St.Cloud? I talked to a friend this morning who has family in Whapeton. He said their farm is going to be alright, they built a very large dike after '97 but a lot of other places that didn't put forth the effort or couldn't afford to are going to be hurting again.
Best of luck to everyone.

Yes I am, yeah I have cousins who live in Bismarck, just built a new house now they are worried about the water coming up in it. Seems like the farmers never get a break up there, either frost too early and floods in the spring!

 

[viperxc]

There is probably always more that could have been done sooner but sometimes it is human nature to not do something until it is absolutely necessary. When it is necessary, it is amazing how people come together and get things done.

 

[Gimpster]

Miserable here today !!

Storm was on us last night when I went home from my shop in the CJ-7 at 2 AM. Icy slushy roads and high wind blew me onto the shoulder of the road 2wice. Blowing and snowing fierce today. No snow plows out made coming to the shop a real joy this morning

If Fargo gets this stuff, it will make sandbagging real tough !!!

----- Gimpster -----

 

[NDflatlander]

Fargo/Moorhead isn't the only place that is having water trouble in the state of ND. Right now we have been experiencing rain and snow storms since Sun. I just spoke with my dad we have a creek that is a tributary to a Sheyenne River which is a tributary to the Red River that runs behind our home that is washing out the road. Here in Jamestown the river rose about 6 ft. over night and it appears as though I'll be sandbagging a buddy's townhome this afternoon/evening. It's amazing to see the people working together to do this. I'm 100 miles from Fargo and would be there if there was a legitimate route to get there from here, but the interstate is also closed on the west side of the area.

This spring's weather is definitely weird. The eastern part of ND has roads closed due to flooding and on the western part of the state my mom is stuck in Bismarck after some meetings because of the Blizzard and others are stranded because of road washouts.

Here is a graphic of the ND road report today. http://www.dot.nd.gov/roadreport/roadreport/roadreport.asp If you head to www.in-forum.com the Fargo newspaper you can see today's headlines regarding the flood fight.

Every spring the power of water amazes me. It makes me think that I should have been a hydrologist or in a related field.

 

[viperxc]

I don't think the Fargo area is suppose to get the snow storm but we are suppose to get some more snow and cooler weather the next couple days. They feel it may be beneficial due to slowing the snow melt and allowing the river to try to catch up with the incoming water.

Yes, It isn't just the Fargo area. The problems are widespread due to the other creeks and rivers that flow into the Red. Lots of roads are closed and washed out due to the overland flooding. My dad is on the township board 100 miles away and he was out marking washed out culverts and roadsides last night.

 

[151Viper]

I was already pulling up carpet and cleaning up water this morning in Grand Forks at my partents house. It will be interesting to see what happens. Since 1997 my permanent flood protection was moving about 20 miles west of Grand Forks and I think it will work out well this year. I am sure i will be in town helping where I can though.

 

[sledboy82]

i've been sandbagging for the past 3 days and on monday fargo received recored rain fall. also another 2 inches of snow poosible tonight. thats doesnt help the situation at all. i hope that its gets cold tonight and slows down the water. fargo will win this flood!!!

 

[skidontlover]

all this crazy stuff happening and not one pic?

 

[Nate]

I woke up to a damned 80" snow drift in front of my garage I had to pitch the dog up and over the drift so he could pee. Little homo wouldnt go out-side. He wasnt happy when he made it back up and over the drift.

Hope everyone is okay. When this snow melts....good lord

 

[luvtoride]

The flooding isn't supposed to be as bad back here in northeastern MN. But I live in a river valley....My house is on a hill, out of the valley, which is nice, but my driveway isn't. It is underwater already, and the water is rising fast. Another foot and my horses will have to be moved up near the house because their shelter will have 2 ft of water in it. They are ok for now, they can find enough places to stand, and their hay bin is on dry land for the most part.

I was looking forward to lending a helping hand in Fargo with my brother at NDSU, but it looks like I'll be stuck here for a few days, until the water recedes a little.

 

[viperxc]

http://www.inforum.com/

You can find some stuff on our local newspaper site.


The Flood Cam is a streaming link that shows the Red River from the Moorhead side.

http://www.wday.com/

 

[Rob1334]

Haha, Fargo may be in trouble here soon, but Bismarck is in trouble now. ND is a crazy place to live, in the last 24 hours we have had thunderstorm warnings, flood warnings, high wind advisory, blizzard warnings, and not to far from here Tornadoes. The whole south part of Bismarck is in a watch right now, if the ice jam north of town breaks and gets held up by the 70 mile jam from southern Bismarck to the SD, then they say we may have more damages than Fargo.

Here's the Bismarck Tribune's website for pics and videos,

http://bismarcktribune.com/articles/2009/03/24/news/update/doc49c7c0fb2b198508260893.txt


Here's some pics locally that I took, had to help a friend who's living on an island right now, drive in on a road flooded by 2.5-3ft of water on it, and things have for sure not crested here...

Sorry for poor qaulity on some of these, were taken with cell phone.

Road in to his place,

Water up to the house... getting close anyways...

Guy following us...

 

[Rob1334]

some more...

And this one is 3 blocks from my house...

 

[xc_rider08]

some more pics to add to robs pics...

the orange cones in this picture are now gone... the water has at least risen another 2'

a guys corn field