The Fargo Flood of 2009

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

There will be those here that say if they're dumb enough to live there etc etc etc...

I'm from there. Born in Fargo ND, raised in Moorhead MN. The towns are only separated by the Red River. Have several family members and friends still there. Everyone that was able was out bagging or answering phones for volunteers.

The flood they are experiencing is the record for that area going back into the 1890's. The Red River can be a mean old man because of the flat geography and the fact it flows slowly north sometimes dead-heading into still frozen waters with ice blockages. The winters heavy snow and a quick thaw with rains all together bring the flood they are having now.

While those sandbag dikes may hold the crest, they are talking about several days of high water. Those dikes aren't designed to be permanent.

These are some of the proudest Americans. I think their efforts this week show their resolve, regardless if they win or lose this fight against Mother Nature.

The valley there has some of the richest farmland in the world, but you have to be dedicated to endure those long harsh winters. It really is a beautiful and wholesome place to be from, tho I wouldn't go back there to live.

Perhaps keep those good folks in your thoughts and prayers for next several days.

Youtube clip... over 2 million sandbags served.

Billbo · 03-28-2009, 03:12 PM

I'm living the dream, over 3 million sandbags served.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Flooding in freezing temps - ugh.

Do most people there have flood insurance? I hope they suffer as little loss as possible.

Billbo · 03-31-2009, 08:56 AM

River threat has lessoned for now but the snow just keeps on coming. Up to 18 inches forecast for us today. This place (Fargo) is still all but shut down. I live in the bottom of a big bowl.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

They have had some bad ones the past couple of years. What year where the fires?

I read a great book about a group of guys that paddled up the Red River from IA.

Good luck and hang in there.

Bill

71T Targa · 03-31-2009, 09:59 AM

Here are some amazing pictures: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/red_river_flooding.html

slakjaw · 03-31-2009, 10:50 AM

My boss called me today. I might have to up there to help sand bag some cell sites and a POP site. I love fargo! hottest women i have ever seen !

badcar · badcar's Garage

Born in Fargo, raised in Moorhead as well....on South Rivershore Drive. My heart goes out to my old neighborhood and Oak Grove High School, they are putting up one hell of a fight.

bigsid · bigsid's Garage

It's really great to see people really helping each other, doing what they can to save each others livelyhood............. and to think they are not waiting for the government buses and free handouts.... these people all deserve medals!!

onewhippedpuppy · 03-31-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsid

It's really great to see people really helping each other, doing what they can to save each others livelyhood............. and to think they are not waiting for the government buses and free handouts.... these people all deserve medals!!

People in the midwest don't wait around for government help.

MT930 · 03-31-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

People in the midwest don't wait around for government help.

Amen !

Those folks in Nodak / West Min are the toughest most resourceful people the country has to offer.

The best to them during these times.

slakjaw · 04-01-2009, 04:33 AM

Why are nodak women so damn hot?

jyl · jyl's Garage

Swedish ancestry?

Billbo · 04-01-2009, 06:48 AM

Of interest to me was the story just released on how FEMA came into town and strongly recommended that Fargo evacuate. Our mayor held his ground and due to his experience, saved the town. If he'd caved in to the feds, this whole city would be under water. The people stayed, followed his lead and we got the job done. Don't know what I'm trying to say but our local leaders did a great job. As of today it looks like we'll be just fine, clean up starts soon.

slakjaw · 04-01-2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

Swedish ancestry?

Must be. Nebraska has the highest population of Lithuanian people in the US. I used to love the scenery there.. till I went to Fargo.

onewhippedpuppy · 04-01-2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billbo

Of interest to me was the story just released on how FEMA came into town and strongly recommended that Fargo evacuate. Our mayor held his ground and due to his experience, saved the town. If he'd caved in to the feds, this whole city would be under water. The people stayed, followed his lead and we got the job done. Don't know what I'm trying to say but our local leaders did a great job. As of today it looks like we'll be just fine, clean up starts soon.

You mean you didn't run away from adversity and let the govt save the day?! What a concept!

Jeff Higgins · 04-01-2009, 07:05 AM

From The Boston Globe's blog regarding a story they ran on the flooding:

Just a personal observation...as I watched the news coverage of the
massive flooding in the Midwest with the levee's about to break in Fargo, ND, what amazed me is not what we saw, but what we didn't see...
1. We don't see looting.
2. We don't see street violence.
3. We don't see people sitting on their rooftops waiting for the
government to come and save them.
4. We don't see people waiting on the government to do anything.
5. We don't see Hollywood organizing benefits to raise money for
people to rebuild.
6. We don't see people blaming President Obama. (Except for Don Marchant, post #30)
7. We don't see people ignoring evacuation orders.
8. We don't see people blaming a government conspiracy to blow up
the levees as the reason some have not held.
9. We don't see the US Senators or the Governor of North Dakota crying on TV.
10. We don't see the Mayors of any of these cities complaining about
the lack of state or federal response.
11. We don't see or hear reports of the police going around
confiscating personal firearms so only the criminal will be armed.
12. We don't see gangs of people going around and randomly shooting
at the rescue workers.
13. You don't see some leaders in this country blaming the bad
behavior of the North Dakota flood victims on "society" (of course there is
no wide spread reports of lawlessness to require excuses).

Posted by Bill Baxten March 27, 09 01:56 PM

I couldn't have said it better myself, so I won't. Mr. Baxten is spot-on.

onewhippedpuppy · 04-01-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

From The Boston Globe's blog regarding a story they ran on the flooding:

Just a personal observation...as I watched the news coverage of the
massive flooding in the Midwest with the levee's about to break in Fargo, ND, what amazed me is not what we saw, but what we didn't see...
1. We don't see looting.
2. We don't see street violence.
3. We don't see people sitting on their rooftops waiting for the
government to come and save them.
4. We don't see people waiting on the government to do anything.
5. We don't see Hollywood organizing benefits to raise money for
people to rebuild.
6. We don't see people blaming President Obama. (Except for Don Marchant, post #30)
7. We don't see people ignoring evacuation orders.
8. We don't see people blaming a government conspiracy to blow up
the levees as the reason some have not held.
9. We don't see the US Senators or the Governor of North Dakota crying on TV.
10. We don't see the Mayors of any of these cities complaining about
the lack of state or federal response.
11. We don't see or hear reports of the police going around
confiscating personal firearms so only the criminal will be armed.
12. We don't see gangs of people going around and randomly shooting
at the rescue workers.
13. You don't see some leaders in this country blaming the bad
behavior of the North Dakota flood victims on "society" (of course there is
no wide spread reports of lawlessness to require excuses).

Posted by Bill Baxten March 27, 09 01:56 PM

I couldn't have said it better myself, so I won't. Mr. Baxten is spot-on.

You could also apply that to any flood, tornado, or other storm damage that happens anywhere in the region.

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by badcar

Born in Fargo, raised in Moorhead as well....on South Rivershore Drive. My heart goes out to my old neighborhood and Oak Grove High School, they are putting up one hell of a fight.

Hey Mark, Small world. We lived on 14st in N Moorhead, so never had a threat from the river, just rain in the basement for the sump pumps keep busy. I left there in 1968 for sunny smoggy LA.

Here's a blog regarding 3.5 million sandbags. Interesting take on comparisons.

http://blog.concept3d.com:80/?p=433