2009 Flood Update

Here are some photographs that were taken from the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge that crosses the Red River from Moorhead to Fargo. It’s one of two remaining bridges that are still open, all seven other bridges in the metro area are under water. Believe it or not, you are typically able to drive underneath on the Moorhead side of the bridge.

So far we are all doing well. Ann and Kaleb headed for higher ground on Friday as they traveled to Thief River Falls. I stayed back against Ann’s will to man the fort and to take care of business at Wright Funeral Home. Taking into consideration the danger that is present, there have been very few causalities. We have lost a few homes to flooding, two homes to fire in which the Fire Department was not able to access due to the flooding and early this morning a permanent dike that was protecting Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo was breached and sadly the school buildings have taken on water. Each time the police or fire sirens sound, it’s an extremely unnerving feeling. You immediately stop what you are doing and pray that there hasn’t been a breach in the dike system. MeritCare Hospital and most of the long term care facilities in our communities have been evacuated for safety precautions. There is the constant noise from helicopters overhead as the National Guard is continuously flying over the river looking for potential problems. We continue to pray that the dikes are able to hold back the water for the next 5-7 days that it’s expected to be at the extreme flood level that it’s currently at. The Red River enters flood stages at 17’ – 19’, we are currently at 40’, 20 plus feet above flood stages.

Our entire community is in awe over the support we have received from those near and far. With the help of thousands of people, we have made an astonishing 3,000,000 sandbags is seven days, with an additional 250,000 of them in a reserve status strategically scattered throughout our communities. Currently there over 1700 National Guard men and women here along with numerous police and fire officials from Minnesota as well as North and South Dakota. The comradery and compassion here is astonishing, we are so blessed. Thank you all for your e-mails, facebook messages and phone calls.

Watching… Waiting… Praying…