Morning Update!
River level is 40.44 and Risin! We are officially into record setting never seen before flooding levels.
Well its been an interesting 12 hours since last night.
On the plus side our city leadership and people have not given up.
In spite of continuing series of ever worse flood crest forecasts.
They battle on, worn, tired, frazzled, but stubborn and determined to do whatever it takes to win.
We got a "code red" automated call last night at 11:30 calling for sandbaggers to come work on the dike.
This is the permanent dike that was ok for a 40 foot crest, but with the new crest to 42 or maybe up towards 43 they needed to get that stretch up to 44 feet.
Fargo is a very Linear city, stretching for miles North and South along the river. There really is only one route that runs all the way from North to South.
University drive is one way going South from 19th ave North to 13 Ave S. And 10th street is the companion one way going North.
Well the City has shut down University and 10th St to private traffic, reserving it for sandtrucks, crews, and emergency vehicles only.
National Guard is out doing traffic and directing people. 3 shorter cross streets running East to the river have also been cordoned off.
People are being allowed to cross it at various places but not turn onto it.
Yesterday traffic was backed up so bad in places that what would normally be a 10 min commute from Fargo to Moorhead was a 2 - 4 hour bumper to bumper traffic jam. We are down to just 2 bridges across the river, the newly rebuilt Main Ave Bridge, was built to handle this kind of water.
And the Interstate 94 bridges which are barely above at this point. DOT was out working all day yesterday trying to keep I94 open and passable.
And to keep it from being a conduit for water from the river into the city. The main on ramp from Moorhead to Fargo has been closed for 2 days now.
Leaving just one other exit where you can leave Moorhead and get to Fargo.
Whew, what a mess!
6:00 AM... RED RIVER AT 40.44
Expected to crest at 41 - 42 FEET by Saturday but could potentially be as high as 43 FEET
-Overnight Dike Breech in South Fargo
An overnight dike breech in South Fargo prompted a "CODE RED" call to the neighborhood and a mandatory evacuation. Engineers deemed that the leak was NOT significant. KFGO news spoke with Police Seargeant Mark Lykken at the scene. The corps of engineers planned to shore up the leak. About 140 homes were affected. Lykken says most had already left and those that remained were prepared to leave on short notice. The evacuation was East of 4th Street South between River Road and Lindenwood Drive. (roughly 5 blocks from our house and south)
- Fargo Police Announce Road Closures
FARGO, N.D. (March 26, 2009) – The Fargo Police Department is announcing the closure of several roads that will be used for flood truck traffic only. The closures will begin at 6:00 a.m. Friday, March 27. The closures are as follows:
* University Dr. from 35th Ave. N. to 40th Ave. S.
* 10th St. from 13th Ave. S. to 19th Ave. N.
* NP Ave. from University Dr. to the river (East West road (bridge to Moorhead is closed due to high water)
* 7th Ave. N. from University Dr. to the river
* 19th Ave. N. from University Dr. to Elm St. (Major east west road 3 miles north of us)
The North Dakota National Guard will be assisting the Fargo Police Department at significant intersections to ensure the smooth flow of truck traffic and to block civilian traffic from using these roadways. Cross traffic will be allowed in a controlled manner.
The Fargo Police Department is requesting the assistance of the public to ensure these critical roadways are kept open to allow flood fighting efforts to continue as rapidly as possible.
- MeritCare Fargo Hospitals Evacuating Patients After consulting with local and state emergency services, to ensure the safest possible evacuation of patients from the city, MeritCare is initiating the evacuations of hospital patients as of 8:30 p.m., Thursday, March 26.
Our Sister city of Moorhead has issued a Mandatory evacuation for section of town South of Interstate 94, and EAST of the main North South road, 8th st.
Our daughter Katie worked yesterday on her day off. (Villa Maria) helping to prepare residents to be moved out of this area.
Some went as far as 7 hours to the western side of the state. More will be evacuated today. Obviously we are proud of her dedication to those she cares for.
On the home front, we remain HIGH AND DRY, sump pump is working, water is on (although smells funny) and sewers are working. WHEW
Keeping you guys updated helps keep me from going stir crazy. Gives me something to do, a purpose, any purpose in these long days helps.
Once we do crest they are saying we could stay at over 41 foot levels for over a week. So this is going to be a LONG worrysome wait.
Once again, after carefully going over the city's evacuation plan, we are in the area they have not planned. We are where they are evacuating people to, not from. We are high and dry, and even if a dike fails should not see significant problems.
Worst case scenario for us is likely to be less than a foot of water in the street.
But as no one has ever seen water levels this high before, it remains a bit worrisome.
Again, we are high and dry, have everything we need. We just need to stay the course. We very very much appreciate all the thoughts, prayers and offers of help. If we have to clean up we'll be in touch. Grin
