March 29, 2009 - Fargo, ND Flood

It amazing that during a time when our country is so unstable and many are nervous about the economic climate, Americans still come to the aid of others in need. Even people who have already lost their homes are helping others save theirs.

We have been on standby with the hovercraft rescue boat at the sheriff’s office for a few days now. If there is a significant breach in the levees we will be there to bring people to safety. The sandbagging operation looks like it is working and though the river crested higher than ever-recorded history, it is expected to crest lower than predicted. This is good news for the city. Nevertheless, the river will stay at this level for 3-7 days. Will the manmade levees hold? That is the big question. If they breach, many homes will be under water.

The winds are expected to pick up, which can cause waves that will crash against the levees.

I’m hopeful though! Thousands of people have come together over the past few days, making over 5 million sand bags and building levees that stretch for miles.

It has been tremendous and the good people of Fargo and its volunteers will not give up. The levees are crawling with people looking for the first sign of breaches, ready to defend their homes.

As soon as the waters drop to a safe level we will be heading out, and I think things are looking favorable.

March 26, 2009 - Fargo, ND Floods

Just about six hours before we reached Fargo, I called EOC (Emergency Operations Center) and they explained they were in need of a hovercraft. Though the manmade dikes were holding well, a few people needed to be evacuated in low lying areas and the airboats were experiencing some challenges getting into some areas.

We arrived at 5:50 am to the area they told us to report to – which was a jail – only to find out they decided to evacuate the area due to rising waters. We got diverted over to the sheriff’s office and then on to the public works department where the airboats were congregated.

The First Response Team introduced themselves to the water rescue team of Fargo. We showed them the hovercraft, explained to them what it could do and that we will be available to assist them in any way they may need. They expressed their thanks and asked us to wait with them and be on standby throughout the day…which we were more than willing to do.

The mood was tense because the waters were going to rise higher than they had ever been before. The mayor got on the airways saying, “The river is expected to behave in ways never before observed.” The National Weather Service made some startling announcements about the river and how unpredictable the next few days were going to be.

Though no levees were breaking, I understood the importance of standing by the next few days in case we were needed to evacuate people. Right now the focus should be getting the levy built and then getting everyone to safety.

March 25, 2009 - Fargo, ND Flood

Reports started coming in about the threat of epic floods in Fargo, ND. News stations reported about the great flood of 1897 when the river rose to 40.1 feet. Now, in 2009, the river was predicted to reach a devastating level of 42-43 feet.

That’s not all…Fargo had experienced one of the worse winters in years. Without boring the average person with a detailed weather report, the bottom line is lots of snow and soaked land means the water can go nowhere except stay on top of the ground and drain to the river. To add insult to injury, it’s freezing – not your average flood they usually see in the spring and summer. Freezing water means anyone who gets caught up in the flood waters will be subject to hypothermia.

Sand bagging operations are beginning. I’m hopeful the manmade dikes will hold back the river but if not, they are going to need a hovercraft. There are 100,000 people living in Fargo and just from experience I can tell you not everybody evacuates when they should. If those levees breach they will need our help. We’re headed out now. Looks like a 26-hour trip so we’ll alternate drivers in order to get there quickly. I think it would be a good idea to stop at the hovercraft dealer near Chicago as well. It’s time to upgrade the computer system on the hovercraft so the engine can adapt to temperatures below zero.