Red River Flood Watch - Day 2 Flood Stage

M. Alexandra Matiella Novak, M.A. Matiella Novak

Posted by
Alexandra Matiella Novak
Mar 24, 2009

The Red River is still rising.

Fargo is experiencing major flooding and the city is in defense mode organizing sandbagging and flood mitigation efforts. High school and North Dakota State University students in Fargo are being excused from class to help with these efforts. The University of North Dakota, in Grand Forks, has also excused students who wish to volunteer from class and is providing transportation to Fargo.

UND President Robert Kelley emailed the following statement to the UND community:

"Statement from UND President Robert Kelley On Students Helping Sandbag in Fargo:

I am gratified -- and not at all surprised -- that our students are eager to volunteer to assist our neighbors in Fargo in their flood preparation efforts. Such concern for others is a hallmark of the University of North Dakota community.

Grand Forks and the UND campus are expected to be able to function effectively and safely as we look ahead. We can help to make a difference in protecting Fargo.

Student volunteer efforts are being coordinated by the Student Government Association, working with the authorities in Fargo. Students wishing to volunteer need to go to the Office of Student Government in the Memorial Union to sign in and to sign a release form. Student Government is coordinating transportation to Fargo.

Students wishing to volunteer should contact faculty members in advance if classes would be missed. Faculty members are encouraged to be supportive of students' volunteer efforts. Verification of volunteer work will be available from the Student Government Association."

Currently the Red River in Grand Forks is still at Flood Stage and the water level is at 36.51 feet. The National Weather service forecast has put the Red River at about 50 feet by the beginning of next week (5 more days).

Flood mitigation efforts continue and the Grand Forks Greenway is now closed to pedestrians. One bridge of three connecting East Grand Forks, MN to Grand Forks, ND has been closed with the other two expected to close in the next few days.

Picture Captions

Icebergs on the Red River. Picture taken at 7 pm on 03/23/09 from the Grand Forks Greenway bike path. The river level is 32.9 feet in this picture.
Picture taken from same location the next day (03/24/09) at 7:30 am. The river level is 35.6 feet in this picture.
The Sorlie Bridge connecting East Grand Forks and Grand Forks with the Grand Forks Greenway bike path in the foreground. This picture was taken on the morning of 03/23/09.
The Sorlie Bridge on the morning of 03/24/09. Notice the bike path in the foreground is now submerged. This bridge is still open but is expected to close in the next few days.