Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comLocals optimistic; FEMA has supplies for 20,000 — just in case
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isn't this fargo flooding a problem every year. why is fargo or some of fargo located where it is? seems rediculous to me.
They need some engineers to come up with a plan! Seems routine there and along that river..
The Plan is to have the people move, I went up and helped the first time it flooded 10 or so years ago, and told people then you won't ever see me back up here again. Just like a group from Church went down and helped in Mississippi after Katrina, won't go back and help then again either. I felt bad then but I won't again, if you don't want to get flooded move off the flood plain, and if you don't want to have a Hurricane wipe out everything you have, move!
Fargo is located on the Red River, which flows North. One of only two rivers in the world that do. And it is about a plan, all they need to do is basically copy what Grand Forks has done and build a flood wall. The only problem is, is that they need to have money to do so and to get the money they have to keep flooding till the government sees it as a problem. They are hoping that they will get the money soon and can get started on the wall. Grand Forks used there wall the first time last year and it worked as planned! We are starting to put our wall again this year because of fast melting snow from warm weather. South of Grand Forks they have had some record snow, and when it melts it has to go somewhere. But those that bought/bulit a house on the river knew what they were getting into, those I have no sypathy for either, with our past you need to be a bit smarter!
I agree that it's either move or don't complain when it happens. The caveat, though, is whether or not it's always been AS big of a problem.
I used to tease my parents about living on a peninsula; living on a culdesac, they have 3 sides surrounded by ditch/creek. Living there 20 years, and still visiting there now (41 yrs.) I noted a tremendous uptick in the frequency of flooding in the past 10 years. Seems they've built developments up from them, and all the water is designed to run my parents' way; even some developments more than a mile away.
I have to wonder how much of this is 'normal' flooding in Fargo, and how much has been exacerbated by wind-ding run off water specialists and engineers...
Same old news. I only hear the media complain though. Locals look at it as typical. North Dakota means a lot of snow and a lot of flooding.
Unknown0080--
Kinda my thinking too. No matter where you go in the US you will run into Mother Nature causing problems. I think the locals in whatever area are just used to it, know what to do, and get rolling. The media has to sensationalize.
To all you pea brains who think everyone should move, Mother Nature is everywhere. Not just in Fargo, ND. What about the weather in the Northeast and the amount of money being spent there? Should they all move, after all, everyone knows it will snow again there. Shouldn't everyone move from the tornado areas, the hurricane areas, the earthquake areas, the Mississippi River plains? If you're a taxpayer, you are entitled to the available government funding and/or programs you qualify for. If you don't like this. That's life. We all may not like where our taxes are allocated. But, the fact is, is that there are government programs set up for disasters like this. If your situation never calls for the need of this program, don't be spiteful, be grateful.
RNelson: "Fargo is located on the Red River, which flows North. One of only two rivers in the world that do."
Wrong. The Columbia River flows west between Oregon and Washington and every river that flows into it from the Oregon side flows north.
I came up with a plan several years ago, but nobody is willing to listen. I designed a house to sit on a concrete float (like a dock) that's fastened to the house in such a way that when it floods, the house rises with the water, tethered on a steel cable, which can be used to re-seat the house after the flood. I contacted FEMA, many of the home builders, mobile home builders, the various insurance organizations, but nobody is interested. After trying for several years, I have determined that there is more money to be made letting houses be destroyed, which Is why nobody will talk to me. I wasn't even asking for any money, just wanted to help people, maybe save a life. There's more money to be made in a disaster than avoiding one.
By Our Example - I live in Montana, and we have to plow ourselves out just to get to the highway - about one mile. Every snowfall. Every storm. But I agree with you that folks that build in an area that is known to have problems, should not get the government's help every time they need it, then snub their noses at us because they live "better" than we do. I knew the problems living far off the highway, and accepted that.
It was the Army corp of Engineers who caused the flooding in the first place when they plugged up the river about a hundred years ago. When William Fargo established his City they never had a flood. After Mr. Fargo died, the City Council at that time decided to have the Army Corp of Engineers change the flow of the river. Ever since then, Fargo has had constant flooding. With the present Mayor and City Council of Fargo, they refuse to work with solutions. When I tried to offer them a solution, they bluntly told me where to go. This is why so many people up here in Fargo have a diploma ; because up here in Fargo, you don't need a brain.
Maybe if people weren't allowed to build in flood plains in the first place this problem wouldn't be a real issue. It's similar to New Orleans in that people will expect the government to (literally) bail them out because they chose to live in a high risk area. There should be more stringent laws regarding any kiind of grandfathering homes on coastal flood plains, river flood plains and land like New Orleans that is below sea level. (New Orleans should have never been built or re-built). If people want to be rewarded with a view of the ocean, river, etc., they should expect to pay for the risk as well--without taxpayer money. This is not like other areas where tornados, earthquakes happen. In those areas the risk is spread out over large areas. Buildings in Hurricane zones are now required to withstand heavy rain and winds. It's predictable enough to build against it. Building dikes for buildings on flood plains is using taxpayer money to subsidize and perpetuate poor choices.
"It's similar to New Orleans in that people will expect the government to (literally) bail them out because they chose to live in a high risk area."
No...it's not similar. These people are actually helping themselves and not standing around waiting for the government/FEMA to do all the work as those in New Orleans did. They're not running around looting shops either.
reason84.....
So people who live in areas prone to snow storms should shovel their own roads and not expect the government to plow for them.
This is the problem with capitalism and the tea baggers, no compassion for their neighbors who are in trouble.
I will agree that it is one thing to help people that have lost everything but it is something else to help millionaires protect their beach front mansions at the expense of the people. Due to economic circumstances, some people have little choice of where they live, but those who have the necessary resources yet still build in prone areas should just suffer.
By our example- you are a freaking idiot. How your twisted little pea brain contrast capitalism and "teabaggers" with level of compassion is beyond ridiculous. Compassion is an individual trait not limited just to pond scum liberals. The key is capitalist and "teabaggers" tend to appreciate helping people that help themselves (and I do not mean help themselves to our wallets). I mean people that get off their dead ass and do something something a lot of 3 toe sloth whining liberals like yourself would not understand.
reason, yeah, they're pitching in and working, not whining about the govt and sitting around waiting on a check.
And these kids will never get a good paying job unless they are related to someone. The kids that stayed at home and never even cut the grass but are related to someone will get a good paying job. Our government of accountability that "O" was supposed to deliver never happened it's just got worse. There are still no nepotism laws at TVA and they hire the least qualified persons they can get because the only qualification they are looking for is "who do you know". I hope someone remembers these kids when they get older and offers them a job.
Obama - nor any president - can change the level of nepotism built into the economy - are you kidding??? YOU THINK THAT CAN CHANGE IN 1 YEAR??? Your're crazy. It will take 2 generations of cultural work to change that level of nepotism. He's starting with Healthcare - by leveling the playing field a little bit he'll enable young people from poor families to have that sorted out - one less area of insane competition. Next is banking and education.
reason84,
Well said, these are hard working people who will help others and not wait for a handout.
ByOurExample, your truthfull comment about the millionaires made the others mad at you. Why do so many want to 'bury their heads in sand'?
So people who live in areas prone to snow storms should shovel their own roads and not expect the government to plow for them.
Lol, I live in ND and we plow our street roads..and so does the next street and the next. The city takes too long to come in. Snow blowers and bobcats work wonders.
ByOurExample--
Heck I'm in Maryland, and we have private plowers, that come for roads and driveways, that come around and are not Government funded, but considering we pay taxes to the Government are we not supposed to have certain help from them? And my nearly 70 year old mother did shovel out 2/3rds of our driveway, which isn't really short.
Mmmmmmmmmmk so where are there NOT prone areas?
East Coast - Hurricanes, Blizzards, Nor-Easters
West Coast - Earthquakes, Bushfires, possible Tsunamis, and Storms
Middle of the country - Flooding, Snowstorms, Tornadoes
Southern Border - Hurricanes, Flooding
So...........where are areas not prone?
". . . not whining about the govt . . ."
because the national guard is helping them?
This type of flooding doesn't happen every year. They have just had a couple bad years in a row. If you knew anything about the type of people there or even read the article you would know that they aren't asking for hand outs. They are hard working people that help out their neighbors.
Jordan Aalgaard of Fargo, N.D., tosses sandbags to build a base around his uncle uncle's home on Monday.
So who is his uncle uncle's ....His grandfathers brothers uncle????
How much do these reporters get paid... if they can't even handle the basic grammer.
I, for one, am tired of paying to save Fargo (or the next town up or down the river) every year. Its almost as stupid as building that part of New Orleans that was 9 feet BELOW sea level and wonder why it flooded in the hurricane. The river will do its thing and those who wish to challenge it should PAY THEIR OWN WAY for their actions.
Bechtel,
I'm willing to bet you've never paid for a single thing in your life, much less YOUR own actions. The good people of ND are NOT asking for a handout, nor have they ever. They have seen these times before, and they do as all good people should do. They band together and help each other. They don't stand around and whine about how the government should do FOR them. They do for themselves and each other. This is a lesson in the TRUE American spirit which unfortunately many Americans today, particurlarly younger ones I fear, have not had the opportunity to learn.
I just want to say, Fargo was built on a river back in the day when rivers were essential routes for transportation of goods and trade.....that is why its here. Its not like someone said, 'Oooh, I'm going to build a town on a riverbank for no apparent reason other than to have it flood every year!' I do agree that we need a protection plan here, however, it is in the works. The bad part is, plans started getting tossed around for flood protection in earnest after last years flood and in so far, no one can agree on what kind of diversion we need. Everyone that lives here in Fargo is in agreement that we need a better idea than sandbagging every year, but until we are able to put that better idea into action, we will continue sandbagging to keep our homes and families safe and dry.
Florida has hurricanes, Egypt has dust storms, Cali has earthquakes and Fargo has floods. If someone can suggest an area that we can just relocate my town to where we will have no problems with any kind of natural disasters, that would be terrific..because that is not possible, I am going to Sandbag Central now to help my neighbors.
The only problem with your reasoning, is that while Fargo was built by the river, the housing was further back from the winter and built in such a way that it was relatively easy to replace. Therefore, when flooding came, people fled to higher ground. It's not so simple now. Fargo should perhaps consider a dyke and pumping system like New Orleans if it intends to stay where it is and continue developing the riverside.
Hmm...you can move to Williston...the only problems you have are crappy people lol.
If you dont want to be flooded out then dont live where it floods. plain simple intelligent realistic
They won't get it.
Gee whillikers, I wonder why they didn't think of that before? None of them must be as smart as you.
LMD pretty much explained everything. MN Gov. Pawlenty(insert groan) was up in Moorhead(opposite Fargo on the river) last week and said he wanted a diversion channel built, but on the ND side of course. Everybody wants something done, nobody can agree on what to do. If the feds pay for it, they'll pretty much put it where they want it. Something will be done. Fargo/Moorhead are growing cities. Their unemployment rate has been better than most other Midwestern cities. Their populations are increasing, they are not going away. LMD, good luck to you and everybody up there. Hope the flood isn't as bad as last year.
Will 1 zillion sandbags even help? Will they "engineer" their way of out floods? I doubt either one. It was engineering that made this mess and the more they dike, build walls, dredge rivers and deforest the area the worse it will get. It seems that the city governenment and the Army Engineers have sandbags for brains.
Merle - We have no protection here. There's very little protection for Fargo. That's the problem. Please educate yourself before you speak.
I was born in Fargo, ND. My mom and my grandfather always talked about the Red River floods. Great farming soil. Seems like it has been flooding forever.Â
Without the yearly floods the farms would turn into a dust bowl which I think is what the engineers and suburanites want.
My o my what a bunch of not nice people on here, this is a story about a community all getting together, a wonderful thing in this day. Good luck, you all have a great bunch of kids there.
This is a great story, showing volunteerism and selfless sacrifice. People that bemoan building along rivers, don't think much about the millions that live along our waterways. At some point, every area of most rivers, is prone to flooding, it just depends on the snowmelt in any given area. I'm surprised that the ACLU isn't throwing up a massive campaign against child workers. These are kids that are working to be a part of something bigger than themselves. I think this is an awesome statement about our children as a whole. Instead of wasting away, in front of a telly, playing video games, they're doing something positive, and are proud of it. You go guys and gals!
Rather than focus on who is living by the rivers and the folly of building in flood planes, I would like to discuss the teens in this story. Youth are looking for meaning in their lives. Without something bigger than themselves to focus on they fall into materalism and hedonism. Some families give them religion, but even that isn't enough. They need to see their works in action. Schools are now giving credit for volunteer work, but again, I'm not sure that is enough either. A defining moment in my life as a teen was working in a soup kitchen. I can see that building these dykes really connected these teens with their community. While we cannot manufacture disasters to make these opportunities, communities might want to think about developing programs that connect teens through work with real problems.
Amazing, isn't it? Americans helping themselves and their neighbors. No looting, no FEMA, no whining. Good luck, Fargo! I'm proud of you.
I think New Orleans could take a lesson from this.
How do you sandbag against a hurricane? Or how about say an earthquake? Slow, predictable natural disasters are a completely different beast from swift, unexpected ones. Will you criticize Fargo if the sandbags collapse and the city is flooded?
OK lets get rid of Fargo and anyone living or farming near the red river. Our nations food supply would take a huge hit. The grocery store does not make your food, WE DO. You go Fargo!!!
In reading this article and in the reporting of this article, it wasn't focusing on the flood. Perhaps some of you should re-read the article. The focus was on the fact that teenagers and young children were coming to participate/support/save (whatever verbiage you prefer) their community, family and friends from the possibilities of damage the flooding could cause, that may or may not occur. It is my belief that the article was giving credit to the young who for the most part are good and caring, want to give of themselves and be a part of their community and yet are not often given the opportunity to show what they are truly made of. Unfortunately, they are not offered good press very often, nor praised for there efforts and I commend and applaud those young individuals for stepping up and the article writer for giving them the attention and appreciation they so deserve.
Go figure.......kids working, without someone telling them the check is in the mail, along with their parents monthly entitlement. I am dumb founded. This sort of stuff has to drive the dems absolutely nuts. No government stepping in telling them how bad off they are, and how they need the gov's help. Just doesn't get any worse for the progressives, the ones that know what everyone else needs and enlists the government's help go give it to them. With kids like these, the country may survive obama's 4 years after all. Live where you want, pay for it yourself, and with the help of friends you will survive.............without someone taking something from someone else and handing it out to those that don't want to do it them selves. Fargo should erect a statue to the KIDS for helping........helping to preserve an old tradition in America........
As Brother Dave said, "LET THEM THAT DON'T WANT TO WORK FOR IT, REJOICE IN NOT GETTING ANY"
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The broad generalizations that you cast here are pretty disgusting. Why would anyone go nuts over such a wonderful story? I am a progressive and this story brings warmth to my heart. As a progressive I can tell you that I do not want government stepping into my business all of the time. We only want government intervention when all else fails and there is no alternative. Think of it as a safety net. I am in agreement with you that the town should memorialize these kids and their effort as it is truly remarkable.
I'm a democrat and Fargo Citizen. You make me Ill
The original article was not about the children helping out. They took the original story about flooding and added the part about kids yesterday.
I APPLAUD the citizens of Fargo-- well done!!! How refreshing to read a story about a community working together-- all for a common cause.
And many of the comments have been unfair to this community-- many river communities in this country were established when river travel was essential to moving goods. I cannot think of many places where nature does not interrupt life from time-to-time. The lesson here is that the citizens of Fargo are working hard to save their community. Maybe those who sit back and fling harsh comments should enlist in flinging some sand; I wonder how those who choose to criticize would react in the face of adversity. Perhaps the water would shut you up once it rose around your ears.
What??!!?? Where is the looting, the whining, the rapes, the outrage at the government?? I don't get it; I thought that during a flood, people were supposed to sit around and wait for someone else to fix the problem instead of taking responsibility for themselves and actually doing some hard physical labor. Fargo, you have me confused. I'll keep scanning the news for the whining and outrage...if I don't see any soon, I'll look up some Katrina archives and there will be plenty.
As far as those whose battle call seems to be "move!!", have you EVER been affected by a blizzard? Tornado? Earthquake, mudslide, torrential rainstorm, hurricane, monsoon, avalanche? If you think that it's honestly wise for the entire world to cram ourselves into fourteen square miles of perfection, then you're right. Otherwise, zip it!
Comparing a slow rise in water level from a river to the catastrophic flooding from a hurricane is just stupid. You sir win the prize for the most ridiculous comparison of the day. At least Fargo has the "luxury" of seeing it coming and can take the proper steps to ensure people's safety. I can only assume you are insinuating that Fargo is better than NO either because most of the people are white or because of their supposed lean towards the right. Either way, your bigoted AND/or political comments come off as ignorant and unwanted. Good day sir! I said GOOD DAY!
I didn't hear you--did you say "good day"? I'm not insinuating Fargo is better than NO, I'm coming right out and saying it. I can't compare the two because there is quite literally no possible comparison. I can almost guarantee you that you won't find a complaint coming out of Fargo because these people are too busy working to complain. There will be no FEMA trailers. There will be no waiting around for checks. There will most definitely be no looting, rapes, or shootings. And even if Fargo didn't have the "luxury" of a warning, even if they had a disaster on the same level as Katrina, I would make the exact same claims.
do not worry. there is no lesson that new orleans could learn from this. n.o. is a disfuntional democrat town. it has to stay that way so "we get the vote".
Hooray, m'man bauer has made the most thinly-veiled racist remark in this thread to date!
Great story! What is wrong with you negative people? It is not about the choices of where people in Fargo live - the story is about a community working together to survive a disaster. I have very little hope left in our country as a whole, especially after reading the ignorant/uncaring comments posted to this story. I have always believed the Silent Majority is strong and caring, not anymore. Those that posted that Fargo gets what it deserves - karma will remember you and your negativity.
Couple of things
There are some very ignorant comments posted here. Please take a moment to actually listen to someone who lives here.
1) To the commenters who say we shouldn't be here: The city is building a diversion right now. The problem is that we survived the flood in 1997 and couldn't get funding to build permanent protection until we almost lost our city again in 2009. This has happend three times in the history of the city not every year. It just all happened within the last 15 years. It's not like people knew this would happen when they moved here over 100 years ago. We supposed to just close up the entire city and move?
2) People are not allowed to build along the river anymore. Problem is that it's VERY FLAT here and the soil doesn't drain. The water just spreads everywhere. I drive into Fargo just south of Moorhead and the water standing in the fields would take your breath away. Unfortunately you could live over a mile away from the river and still be affected. Also the river flows north. This causes additional problems with ice jams.
3) The peoplewho live here take pride in working hard and we don't want any welfare or government handouts we just want to protect our city and be left alone. I'd personally be much happier if the media would freaking get off our dikes (Which PS is illegal) and let us get to work. Better yet, please put down your camera and pick up a shovel. We are all busy.
Thank You!! Coming from another Fargo Citizen!!!
Given the population, it is no doubt "a drop in the bucket" compare to the Federal costs incurred.
"child sandbaggers"?? what a lame headline. i envisioned 4 and 5 year olds being forced to fill sandbags. you know child labor laws and all. instead it was a wonderful story about "young adults" rallying to the call.
This seem to happen every year. Isn't it time for a permanent fix? put some of that stimulus money to work. In this instance, the money might actually do some real good, instead of filling some senator's pork barrel.
We have been trying to get a pernament fix sine 1997. Grand Forks lost most of their city and now has permanent protection. We succesfully fought the flood off so we've had to do things in bits and pieces. It's not an easy answer though. Whatever we do in Fargo potentially affects many communities downstream. The likely answer will be a diversion but where to put it is still a big debate. Even if we started building today it would be 10 years before the project is done. There are no easy answers to this problem.
Okay... since 1997? 10 years? I vote let the Chinese do it. The problem would be solved before next year's flood. thou, some of the oppurtunistic greedy last holdouts might get their house pulled down around their ears.
Nope, only in 97, 2009, and 2010 are really the only recent ones.