Thanks Mariah, our first crest was 40.82 feet and we got the scary news today that there is a 75% chance that the second crest will be 41 feet and a 25% chance it could even be higher at 41.8 feet. They are expecting it mid to late April so we can at least catch our breath, but all the dikes will need to remain in place until this is all over.
That is absolutely dangerous standing behind a dike that size! There is just an absolutely unimaginable amount of force behind that flood water. I sure hope this dike keeps holding for him. Where in Fargo is this located?
This is in Moorhead on 9th street accross from the Police Station, and they were manning the pumps, he was getting water in his basement because the water was coming in under the bags, he had to pump the water out 24 hours a day. The little white sand bag dike you see about knee high was the "First" dike they built, it wasn't long before they realized that was not going to be enough, and they had to build a much larger one in front of that one, however, they little one DID serve a purpose and kept the damage to his basement to a minimum.
My daughter Jaimee, got some amazing photos as she spent the entire week at this location helping build this dike. At one point, Bobby was on top of this dike adding to the top of it becuase of the height of it they had to toss the bags up to him, and he did actually fall into the river, my daughter said it was very scary, but he was okay. It happened when it was snowing and the dike was very slippery. It was just horribly difficult to work in those conditions. I am very proud of those kids for saving that house. My daughter will be 19 in July and the majority of the people who built that dike were between 18 and 24 years of age. I am very proud of our entire community for pulling together to fight this flood.
I wonder if Moorhead will be considering a permanent diking system in that area now that it has been shown how high the water can get? In Fargo, many homes such as this were bought out and the area cleared of all homes rather that putting the expense of a permanent diking system in place. Sure hope things work out for this guy.
Bobby is doing just fine, other than being completely exhausted, which I know you can completely understand and relate to. He too has been surviving on very little sleep, and unfortunately he will have to continue pumping until the river goes down a couple more feet because it is still up against the bags. The water was well over 6 feet high on his dike, so even though alot of people are breathing a sigh of relief, he is still vigilent at the pump. He has alot of wonderful friends helping him.
I know, isn't it AMAZING how those sandbags hold all that back??? I just cannot believe it. This is one of my daughters best friends, actually it is her boyfriends best friends house...these kids worked so hard to save his house.
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Posted by: maria h. (mariamoose)
7 months ago | Flag this
What an incredible photo! Very scary! Hope the river continues to recede.
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Posted by: gadams38
7 months ago | Flag this
Thanks Mariah, our first crest was 40.82 feet and we got the scary news today that there is a 75% chance that the second crest will be 41 feet and a 25% chance it could even be higher at 41.8 feet. They are expecting it mid to late April so we can at least catch our breath, but all the dikes will need to remain in place until this is all over.
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Posted by: kevinskats (ko35)
7 months ago | Flag this
Let's all hope that they are wrong!
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Posted by: gadams38
7 months ago | Flag this
I''m praying they are wrong, Kevin I just don't know how much more you guys can take who have to maintain those pumps and dikes.
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Posted by: kevinskats (ko35)
7 months ago | Flag this
That is absolutely dangerous standing behind a dike that size! There is just an absolutely unimaginable amount of force behind that flood water. I sure hope this dike keeps holding for him. Where in Fargo is this located?
Reply
Posted by: gadams38
7 months ago | Flag this
This is in Moorhead on 9th street accross from the Police Station, and they were manning the pumps, he was getting water in his basement because the water was coming in under the bags, he had to pump the water out 24 hours a day. The little white sand bag dike you see about knee high was the "First" dike they built, it wasn't long before they realized that was not going to be enough, and they had to build a much larger one in front of that one, however, they little one DID serve a purpose and kept the damage to his basement to a minimum.
Reply
Posted by: gadams38
7 months ago | Flag this
My daughter Jaimee, got some amazing photos as she spent the entire week at this location helping build this dike. At one point, Bobby was on top of this dike adding to the top of it becuase of the height of it they had to toss the bags up to him, and he did actually fall into the river, my daughter said it was very scary, but he was okay. It happened when it was snowing and the dike was very slippery. It was just horribly difficult to work in those conditions. I am very proud of those kids for saving that house. My daughter will be 19 in July and the majority of the people who built that dike were between 18 and 24 years of age. I am very proud of our entire community for pulling together to fight this flood.
Reply
Posted by: kevinskats (ko35)
7 months ago | Flag this
I wonder if Moorhead will be considering a permanent diking system in that area now that it has been shown how high the water can get? In Fargo, many homes such as this were bought out and the area cleared of all homes rather that putting the expense of a permanent diking system in place. Sure hope things work out for this guy.
Reply
Posted by: gadams38
7 months ago | Flag this
Bobby is doing just fine, other than being completely exhausted, which I know you can completely understand and relate to. He too has been surviving on very little sleep, and unfortunately he will have to continue pumping until the river goes down a couple more feet because it is still up against the bags. The water was well over 6 feet high on his dike, so even though alot of people are breathing a sigh of relief, he is still vigilent at the pump. He has alot of wonderful friends helping him.
Reply
Posted by: Lindsey B. (linzuar)
7 months ago | Flag this
Wow!! What an amazing photo.
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Posted by: gadams38
7 months ago | Flag this
I know, isn't it AMAZING how those sandbags hold all that back??? I just cannot believe it. This is one of my daughters best friends, actually it is her boyfriends best friends house...these kids worked so hard to save his house.
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Posted by: gadams38
7 months ago | Flag this
He is 20 or 21 and just bought his first house, then had to deal with all this.
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Posted by: Lindsey B. (linzuar)
7 months ago | Flag this
At least from now on, no matter what happens with his home, it'll seem like a piece of cake after this!