Pembina Flood '09

2010

2010-03-16T19:25:00.000-05:00

To read the 2010 flood blog please go to www.redriverpembina10.blogspot.com

Last Entry - For Awhile

2009-05-27T12:10:00.002-05:00

This will be my last entry for awhile....until something major happens in Pembina again.

The bridge closures are out the the mud swept off the road.

From the Pembina River Bridge looking south.

Looking north from the bridge the water is back in it's banks.

Looking from the bridge back towards the Customs building you can see the debris left on the river bank.

The grass is growing at an amazing rate.
The weather is FINALLY warming up.
It sounds like the golf course will be ready to open soon.
Enjoy your summer!

Back to Normal

2009-05-22T20:31:00.002-05:00

The river is below 40 ft. now and almost back in it's bank. Things are getting back to normal. Ken and I were out at the golf course a couple nights ago helping to rake up corn stalks from under the evergreen trees. Still a lot of mud out there but the greens look beautiful! Several men and a couple women have been working almost every night for the last two weeks......if only the sun would shine and dry things out.

Today the bridge over the Pembina River was inspected and given approval to reopen. Tomorrow, if some volunteers are found, they will remove the last sections of the wall closure. Ralph Twamley and crew have been working all week removing the temporary dirt closures.

Today was our last day of school. Now we're waiting for warm weather and summer to begin.

Clean-up

2009-05-11T17:43:00.002-05:00

The clean-up is a big job. Today high school students emptied the sand bags they filled a couple weeks ago.

The area around the club house is dry once again.

Joe, George and Randy work to remove the mud covered tarp that covered the #3 green for the winter. Wayne, Norman, Kevin and Danny were working at other spots around the course. More work will be done tomorrow night.

There is still some water on the #7 and #9 fairways.

The ball field is dry but there is still water inside the dike around the perimeter. There are still sand bags in So Pembina that will have to be removed. There's lots of work to do if you're in the mood to volunteer!

Pictures

2009-05-06T15:44:00.003-05:00

Road is open to Haugen's and Ohmann's is not an island anymore.

One section is open to So Pembina but not to traffic.

The wall sections have been marked and numbered for easier assembly the next time they're needed.

The dirt closure on the east side of the bridge is open.

Branches and debris crowd the south side of the bridge waiting for passage into Canada.

Bad Blogger

2009-05-05T20:56:00.002-05:00

Today was a bad day for this blogger. I went out and took 57 pictures this afternoon and when I came home to put some of them on the Blog I accidentally deleted all of them. SO FRUSTRATING!!!

Anyway, I took pictures of the open road to Ed Haugen's. I took pictures of the men taking down a section of the wall opening the Pembina River bridge. The bridge isn't open to traffic yet, it has to be inspected by the county first. I took pictures of them opening a path through the clay closure on the east side of the bridge. I took pictures of the baseball field with no water on it. I took pictures of the log jams and garbage pushing up against the bridge from the south. I took pictues of the river.

The river is at 49.0 ft tonight.

Tomorrow I'll go out and try to take some more pictues.

Opening the south end

2009-05-02T16:54:00.005-05:00

The south entrance to So Pembina was opened on Friday evening. The two home owners have moved back in. The bridge over the Pembina River is still closed.

Workers pumped water out of So Pembina Friday night and all day Saturday.

The Red River is at 49.85 ft today.

You can see one of the pumps working near the baseball field.

Volunteers worked on the golf course again this afternoon.

The Red River flowing north between So Pembina and St Vincent.

Mud

2009-04-30T21:36:00.005-05:00

A group of men went to the Golf Course late this afternoon. They used hoses and squeegys to clean the mud off the green on hole #7. They took a boat up the fairway.

The American Legion Auxiliary Women cleaned out the kitchen in the Community Center yesterday. They were there all day, every day while the Command Center was open organizing the donations and feeding everyone who came through the door. MANY MANY THANKS to them!!

The river is at 50.1 ft.

Thanks to Randy B for today's pictures.

Goodbye Rangers

2009-04-29T17:29:00.004-05:00

The river is at 50.52 ft and falling.......slowly. It's trying to rain here but not enough to measure.

The two Polaris Rangers that were loaned to the city by AgriSports of Lancaster, MN were returned today. They were greatly appreciated by the dike walkers, gopher patrol and everyone on the Flood Committee. THANK YOU!

The National Guard members that were here to help walk dikes left yesterday afternoon. We're thankful for their help.

The Roosters

2009-04-28T18:30:00.003-05:00

I sat in the Command Center the first night they walked the dikes. As one pair of walkers crossed into So Pembina they called back on the radio "Mother Hen, Mother Hen, the roosters have left the nest." Well, the roosters are all home safe and won't have to leave the nest again until the next time the Red River roars.

Dave and Terri Blomquist walked the dike at 4:00 today and when they came back the Command Center closed. The river is at 50.77 ft. The water is down far enough on the earthen dike that regular patrols are not needed. It's still up on the cement flood wall so the closure to So Pembina in still in place. We're beginning to see the cement on the middle of the Pembina River bridge so we hope it won't be too long before the wall can come down and be put back into storage. There is still water over Hwy #55 to Neche.

I'll continue to post updates and pictures until the last of the flood work is done. I've enjoyed doing this blog and knowing that it connects people across the country to Pembina. Maybe we can use something like this for the next Pembina reunion.

PS No gophers caught today :(

Baseball & Golf

2009-04-26T18:56:00.004-05:00

Caught two more gophers today! River is at 51.32 ft.

It's trying to rain but only a sprinkle so far.

Looks like awhile before they'll be playing ball in So Pembina.

We can see the greens on #6 and #2 here. There are four other greens also out of the water.

Today Firemen continued pumping water out of So Pembina.

A group went over and removed the tarps from the greens that are free of water and cleaned the mud from them.

George C walks over to get a closer look.

Thanks to Jon Kalka for today's pictures.

Pumping

2009-04-25T12:46:00.004-05:00

I sat in the Command Center this morning from 4 - 8 a.m. Pretty quiet place to be. The river was at 51.59 ft. when I left and the gopher traps came up empty again.

Firemen are going into So Pembina in 3 hour shifts to pump water today, but first they had breakfast at the Fire Hall and got organized. They used the city tractor to lift a floating pump to the top of the dike then lowered it to the water on the other side. They carry 5 gal. gasoline cans across in a boat.

Lowering the pump.

Bringing the gas cans.

Walking across the Pembina River bridge.

Friday

2009-04-24T19:39:00.006-05:00

Gene and Gladys take a break after serving dinner at the "High Water Cafe".

The river is at 51.65 ft. No rain today. The water is off Highway 18 from Neche south but it's still over the road from Neche north to the border. Two more gophers left the dike today.

Tomorrow morning men from the Fire Department will be going into So Pembina to pump out water. They're are several empty spots on the sign up sheets to sit in the Command Center and to walk the dikes. If you live in Pembina, please stop by and check out the lists.

Below 52

2009-04-23T19:43:00.003-05:00

No pictures tonight. It's been another quiet day. The big new is,

THE RIVER IS AT 51.98 FT!

This means we can cut back to one team of dike patrol walkers. They'll walk between the Red River bridge and Gastrak.

The gophers are still outwitting the hunters. This could be a long battle.

We've seen about a dozen drops of rain so far today. It's in the forecast for tonight but we're hoping the weatherman is wrong.

So Pembina

2009-04-22T17:34:00.007-05:00

Today the river is at 52.14 ft.

We're still in need of people to sit at the Command Center and to walk the dikes.

These trunks were carrying sandbags to Neche last week-end.

This was taken from the deck of the club house looking south over #9

From the deck looking north over #1. Volunteers have started to pump out the water from inside the dike.

There is a lot of water in the north bound lane of I29 between Pembina and the border.

Sandbag Central

2009-04-21T17:11:00.002-05:00

A quiet day = A good day!

Today was quiet. The river is at 52.22 ft. The "gopher patrol" caught one gopher this morning. The high school students filled 65 pallets of sand bags this afternoon in the school parking lot. These kids are experts! The sun was shining and no rain. We could use a lot more days like this.

Visitors

2009-04-20T21:01:00.004-05:00

Around 7:00 tonight a helicopter landed in Pembina bringing Governor Hoven, the commander of the North Dakota National Guard, a representative of the Army Corps of Engineers and a FEMA representative to town. They met with community members gathered at the Command Center to share words of encouragement, information about help and to answer questions from the audience.

An attentive audience.

Governor Hoven, Jill Pedersen (Pembina Co. Emergency Management) and Pat Misson talk after the presentation.

The pest control company was in town again today and set some traps for the pesty gophers. Anyone walking the dikes is reminded to stay away from the sandbags marked with white flags.

Several loads of sandbags have been sent to Neche to help with their flood efforts. The water began coming over Hwy 18 on the west side of Neche tonight. Students will be filling more bags tomorrow afternoon.

Here and There

2009-04-19T17:51:00.003-05:00

Saturday afternoon some members of the flood committee marked cracks on the dike. Today a specialist from the Corps of Engineers examined the areas and determined they are just top-soil issues and pose no threat to the integrity of the dike. The dike patrols are doing a good job of reporting new gopher holes and other changes they notice.

News from the surrounding areas....Highway 75 between Chale's and Hallock has been reopened. We took a drive through St Vincent a couple days ago. Things looked dry and peaceful there. The water at Walhalla rose over a foot last night. They have had volunteers out sandbagging in some of the lower areas today. Work continues in Neche to raise their dikes before the water comes over Hwy 18 on the west side of town.

Not exactly flood news but Marge Baker stopped in at the Command Center yesterday to say hello and let us know she was back home after being gone for the winter. Marge will be 100 years old next month.

Quiet Saturday

2009-04-18T17:39:00.005-05:00

A quiet Saturday afternoon at the Command Center.

We woke up to see a little snow coming down this morning. It didn't last, but it's cold here today (about 35 degrees). The river is at 52.52 ft. This afternoon some volunteers went out to help a rural residence with their dike.

Crest??

2009-04-17T18:20:00.003-05:00

Someone sent me this picture of the Canadian border road. To the left is Canada to the right North Dakota.

Pembina sent a bunch of their filled sand bags to Neche today to help them out. The high school students filled 70 more pallets of bags in a couple hours this afternoon.

Some local folks visiting and grabbing a bite to eat at the Command Center.

Tonight the TV news reported the Red River in Pembina has crested at 52.75 ft. I hope they're right. The reading was 52.6 late this afternoon. It is suppose to stay high for at least another week.

The water is very close to crossing Hwy 18 at Neche. Today all the students K-12 from Pembina and Bathgate went to school in Pembina and the K-12 students from Neche stayed in Neche. Teachers stayed in their home towns and taught the students there. It was a little chaotic for the first hour or so but we'll get along fine until the water goes down again.

Thursday

2009-04-16T18:23:00.004-05:00

We lucked out with no rain today. We'll keep our fingers crossed for tonight. The river was at 52.69 ft at 4:00 p.m.

This row of sandbags placed by Kittson Co along the road between St Vincent and Chale's keeps the debris from washing onto the road.

Taken from Chale's corner looking toward St Vincent. The new bridge here has really done it's job keeping this road open.

They took down the ladder today. No one is allowed to go into So Pembina until the river level drops.

The dike patrol is still marking fresh gopher holes and a team goes around and covers them with a sandbag. The Pest Control company is coming back to check things out on Monday.

Some of the farms in the area are having trouble with wind erosion on their dikes.

Neche has been working hard today trying to hold back the water from crossing Hwy 18 at the entrances to town.

The National Guard is still here to help walk the dikes. Volunteerism has been GREAT. Lots of people willing to sit at the Command Center, walk dikes, work in the kitchen, and bring meals and goodies. I live in Pembina because I choose to, and it's the people that make this a great place to live.

Remembering Art

2009-04-15T19:29:00.005-05:00

Pat, Ken and an old friend went out to read the river.

The weather was nice today. The river was at 52.68 at noon.

Pembina looking from the west.

Today the high school students went back to Neche to fill more sand bags. Highway 18 into Neche is still open but the water is rising fast.

Kittson Co put a row of sand bags along the low spot in the road from St Vincent to Hwy 75. The road is still open. Hwy 55 is closed from Neche to Walhalla.

This is the wall the men built yesterday in So Pembina.

The people in Pembina love to read your comments. Keep 'em coming!

Manpower

2009-04-14T20:15:00.007-05:00

The river is at 52.58 ft. tonight. The sun was shining today and a lot of work was accomplished. The high school students went to Neche this afternoon to fill sandbags. The water has risen rapidly there. Highway 18 into Neche is still open. Ken and I went to Hallock this afternoon and Highway 75 is closed between Chales's station and Humboldt. We were able to detour on the paved Kittson Co #6 to get to Humboldt without driving in water.

A group of about 50 men went to So Pembina late this afternoon to raise the dike by adding sandbags to the top along the northeast end. The CBP transported some of the volunteers in on their Blackhawk helicoptor while other men were brought across by boat. Six members of the Walhalla Fire Dept. came over and volunteered their help. My thanks to Al Meagher for taking these pictures.

HC

Rainy Monday

2009-04-13T20:04:00.005-05:00

Dennis Warner home and Darrell Warner home.

Pembina Airport

This morning the rain and winds made the dike in So Pembina dangerous to walk so patrols were suspended for the day. Tomorrow morning the situation will be reassessed. If conditions improve some volunteers will cross to So Pembina and add more sandbags to the low spots on the dike. Anyone wanting to volunteer should be at the Command Center by 4:00 p.m.

The community meeting this evening was well attended. The committee gave the public an update on the flood work and answered questions. The National Weather Service has warned that the high water will be with us for an extended period of time. The committee thanked all the volunteers who have been helping walk dikes, man the phone, and work in the kitchen and asked everyone to keep on pitching in until the waters go down again. In the above picture people are checking out the volunteer sign up sheets after the meeting. If anyone has questions not answered at the meeting please call the Command Center at 825-6326 or call the City Office.

The water has coming up rapidly at Walhalla and Neche in the last day or so. I think I mentioned before that Highway 55 between Pembina and Neche is closed. There is also water running across the road just north of Humboldt.

One last tidbit. The fire siren (up and down tones) will be used for fires and to call for sandbaggers. The emergency tone (high extended tone) would indicate a breech in the dike and the need to evacuate. We pray we never hear that one!

Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T17:08:00.006-05:00

Joe and Brent add fuel to the pump in So Pembina.

The river was at 52.34 ft at 4:00 p.m. It's misting a little outside but no rain yet.

The flood committee has been meeting daily to monitor conditions and flood work.

This morning the dike in So Pembina began to shift a little. Several volunteers were pulled across in the boat to lay poly and shore up the low spot with sand bags. The spot was near the fish cleaning station and this has happened before in past floods. Because of the current river height walking the dike in So Pembina will only be done during daylight hours.

Pocket gophers have been waking up and starting to dig burrows in the earthen dike near the Kneeshaw farm. Efforts are being made to get rid of the gophers and the situation is being closely monitored. Residents are asked to stay off the dike and keep their children off of the dike.

The "High Water Cafe" served Easter dinner to a large group of National Gaurdsmen and volunteers at noon today. Reports came back that the food was great!

Since the water is flowing across Hwy 55 the North Border School buses will be re-routed through Bathgate. Students traveling on the shuttle bus should be at the school about 10 minutes earlier than usual.

Tomorrow night is there will be a second public meeting at the Community Center at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

More Pictures from Jamie

2009-04-11T18:25:00.002-05:00

Norman and Dan catch a ride to start dike patrol.

Al pulls Jamie across in the boat to patrol So Pembina

Looking back across the river at the wall protecting Pembina.

The #9 green at the golf course.

Thanks Jamie!

Sunny Saturday

2009-04-11T12:46:00.003-05:00

Ken and Pat back from tending the pumps in So Pembina.

The river was at 52.27 ft this morning. Because the weather has finally warmed up some they were able to move some sandbags outside without fear of freezing. A few palettes have been left at different points around town....not because they're needed, it's just better to be prepared. This picture was taken at the Kneeshaw Circle trailer park.

I Walked

2009-04-10T19:01:00.003-05:00

The water was at 52.17 ft. tonight. The National Weather Service still predicts we'll get to around 52.5 ft and will stay there for a long time.

I walked the north half of the main dike this afternoon with my daughter. She's showing off the ResQ Disc the dike walkers carry. These discs are thrown like a Frisbee and a rope unwinds from them that can support 500 lbs.

The high school students helped build this sandbag dike at the Helen Moris home. It's keeping the water out so far.

Ohmann's Island just east of the red river bridge.

More Pics

2009-04-10T09:01:00.005-05:00

Another picture taken from Hwy 55 coming in from the west.

The dike patrol coming back from a walk. The 4 people on patrol in main Pembina take the Green Ranger to Gastrak then split into two groups. One walks the north half and the other the south. When they meet at the River bridge closure they take the Red Ranger back to the Command Center. (Hope I got that right Pat ;)

Sandbagging

2009-04-09T17:22:00.003-05:00

The river is at 52.08 ft.

Today students from the North Border High School in Walhalla came over to help out with the sandbagging at the Charlie Hart home.

Since the river has reached 52 ft the dike patrol will now be walking the entire dike in both main and south Pembina. More volunteers are needed. Sign up at the Command Center if you are willing to help.

The High Water Cafe is serving pork chops, potatoes and all the fixing to the guard and the workers tonight. The cooks in the community continue to outdo themselves!

This and That

2009-04-09T17:07:00.002-05:00

Dignitaries in Pembina assessing the flood situation.

The bridge over the red River between St Vincent (left) and Pembina (right)

Aerial view of Pembina from north of town.

Water is crossing Hwy 55. The school bus to Neche will now detour through Bathgate.

Leveling Out

2009-04-08T17:40:00.008-05:00

The water has been staying at the same level all day today, 51.88 ft. Water is starting to come up on Hwy 55 just west of the overpass by the cemetery. I drove to Neche this morning and was surprised not to see much water to the west. Seems un-natural somehow. The Pembina River is still well within it's banks.

I'd like to thank Jamie Meagher for today's pictures. The first is of the Hesco flood wall at the Pembina border station. The second is of some deer trying to find dry land along I94 just south of town.

Tuesday

2009-04-07T20:31:00.003-05:00

A relatively uneventful day. The river is at 51.72 ft. You need chest waders to get into So Pembina. Tomorrow morning Kent Conrad and aides from Byron Dorgan will be in Pembina to access our situation. There will be a public meeting on Monday evening at 7:00 at the command center. The meeting is to answer any the questions the public may have.

Water coming up in the back yard at the Gary (formerly Alvin) Warner farm.

Water against the dike wall along main street.

Crossing into So Pembina.

The #8 green and the #9 tee box.

Pumps are running 24 hrs a day pumping water out of So Pembina near the baseball diamond.

Rising Slowly

2009-04-06T19:53:00.004-05:00

The rise of the river seems to have slowed some. Maybe it's because it's spreading out more? The flood committee met today and everything is going OK. The National Guard is helping with the dike patrols and local residents have been coming in to volunteer. We haven't had any trouble filling the time slots.

The "High Water Cafe" is doing well. They have some sign-up sheets there for people who want to bring something to help with meals. Goodies are always welcome.

The National Guard has also been busy at the border erecting a dike around the buildings there. I'll try to get some pictures of that too.

The high school students went out to fill sandbags today at the Alvin Warner farm place. Warner family and friends are building the sandbag dike.

FEMA brought two generators to town this afternoon in case we need them. One was placed near the lift station by Walker's and the other was put by the Fire Hall.

Looking south from the Pembina River bridge. The ice covered river carries a lot of debris along with it.

The east end of the Pembina River bridge.

Baseball & Golf

2009-04-06T06:51:00.003-05:00

Dike patrol in South Pembina
Thanks to Kris and Cam Wilwand for the pictures.

Pitchers mound is still dry.

Golf course

The Team

2009-04-05T16:36:00.002-05:00

My thanks to the Flood Committee who are doing a wonderful job coordinating our efforts. I hope I'm not leaving out any names.

Flood Committee Co-Chairmen
Ron Monette
Joe Defoe
Dike Patrol Coordinator
Pat Misson
Flood Coordinators
Nancy Thompson
Lisa Penn
Flood Committee Members
Deanna Hager
Matt Gruenberg
Tina Dorion
Warren Hillukka - Mayor
Greg Wilmer - Council Member
John Feldman - Council Member
Bev Burke - Council Member
Kyle Dorion - Council Member
Ken Norby - Public Works Supt
Tom Masloski - Public Works Asst.
Jon Kalka - Fire Cheif
Hetty Walker - Co. Commissioner Rep.
Jill Peterson - Pembina Co. Emergency Management

Command Center

2009-04-05T15:26:00.002-05:00

The Red River is at 50.3 ft as of noon today. The ice is finally breaking up and moving north. Witnesses reported the loud sounds when the ice started breaking apart. This picture is looking north from the Red River bridge.

Looking from the Red River bridge across the Moto-Cross track toward Ed Haugen's (now an island).

Volunteers manning the Command Center.
I sat here last night (this morning?) from midnight until 8 a.m. It was a cold night for the walkers. There's a breeze today and that doesn't help. Everything looks good so far. There is some normal seepage in So Pembina so walkers on that side need their water boots. One of the walkers this afternoon will try to take some pictures for me to post.

The National Guard is gathering at the Command Center.

Some volunteers stop to eat and visit.

About the Blog

2009-04-04T21:00:00.019-05:00

From our roots in Pembina and St Vincent our branches have spread wide. This blog has traveled to:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming...

Manitoba, Ontario and Japan

Saturday

2009-04-04T18:26:00.006-05:00

Looking from Old Highway 81 across the horse pasture toward the #9 fairway at the golf course.

Looking from the same point at the Lutheran Cemetery.

The river is at 49.8 ft. and rising. Today we started walking the dike in main Pembina as well as in So Pembina.

The North Dakota National Guard as had 2 men here for the last 10 days standing by to operate a back-up generator for the lift station if it becomes necessary. While they have been here they've grabbed a shovel and helped us fill sandbags and helped with whatever else needed to be done. One of these guardsmen played football for Pembina in the early 90's when we were co-oped with Drayton, and the other is from Park River where some of us know his family. They leave today and a dozen new guard members should be arriving to help with dike walking and other duties.

I'd like to thank Lisa Penn for the pictures I posted yesterday and Nita Warner for the ones today.

HC

Walking and Working

2009-04-03T18:04:00.003-05:00

Today the river is at 48.44 feet. 24-hour dike walking has begun. Anyone wanting to volunteer please sign up at the Command Center.

The walkers in So Pembina took a couple pictures for me this morning. The first one is taken from the dike by the Ukranian Church looking north toward the #1 green on the golf course seen in the upper right of the picture.

This picture was taken by the old museum looking across the Pembina River bridge towards town.

The high school students, some college students and friends and family filled and laid sandbags today at Docken's and at Helen Moris'. The weather was nice for working but they were a muddy bunch when they finished.

Laddie did dike patrol and supervised the crew at the Moris home.

More Pictures

2009-04-02T17:14:00.004-05:00

Climbing down the ladder onto the Pembina River bridge. This is the last picture I'll take from there. The "No Trespassing" sign is posted now and no one is allowed over the wall except the dike patrol. I may have to send my camera with them.

Looking east from the Pembina River bridge at the dike around So Pembina.

The new "bridge over nothing" between St Vincent and Chale's Oil Station is now a bridge over water.

Reading the gauge on the Red River bridge. The reading was 47.10 ft.

Looking north from the Red River bridge.

Still Waiting

2009-04-01T18:54:00.002-05:00

Just came back from the flood committee meeting. Not much new going on . The river level is 45.65 ft. right now.

Tomorrow some of the men will put up the ladder to climb over the wall to So. Pembina. They may begin walking the dikes this week-end.

It's still trying to snow here. It's kind of a cross between snow and rain and coming down very lightly. We could really use some sunshine!

Where are you?

2009-04-01T13:40:00.001-05:00

I'd love to know how far this blog has traveled. If you're not from North Dakota, please leave a comment and tell us what state you're in. Thanks!

More Snow

2009-03-31T18:51:00.004-05:00

Things were pretty quiet around town today. The snow coming is down is depressing, the weather man says we could get 1 - 3 inches. This afternoon they put in dirt to close the old border road by Haugen's.

Community Meeting

2009-03-30T20:29:00.004-05:00

The Community Center was filled to capacity tonight. Mayor Hillukka and the Flood Committee informed those attending of what has been done so far for flood preparation and answered questions from the audience.

This afternoon the high school students and teachers filled sandbags again. This old gal is stiff and sore tonight. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Building a Wall

2009-03-29T18:57:00.003-05:00

Thirty plus men gathered this afternoon to assemble the flood wall closing off the bridge to south Pembina.

The soup and sandwiches at the High Water Cafe were excellent as were the baked goods.

The rest of the day was pretty quiet. Tomorrow the high school students will be filling some more sandbags and there will be a community meeting tomorrow night at 7:oo p.m. at the Community Center.

St Vincent

2009-03-29T18:50:00.003-05:00

The Army Corps of Engineers added more dirt to the top of the dike surrounding St Vincent. That is snow to the right of the picture, not water yet.

This shows where they built up the side of the the road.

Dirt is piled up to close off the road and complete the dike.

A busy Saturday

2009-03-28T16:52:00.005-05:00

We drove to Hallock last night and saw that they were building up the sides of the highway on the north side of St Vincent with a dirt dike as they prepare for the high water too.

Members of the community turned out in force today to fill sandbags. If rumors are correct we have about 20,000 bags filled and ready to go.

The High Water Cafe opened today. Many, many people brought in sandwiches and goodies to feed the volunteers. People stopped by the command center to volunteer time and equipment. The command center will be open tomorrow from 9:00 until 4:00. They do not plan to fill any more sandbags tomorrow.

This afternoon the holes were steamed open and cleaned out to prepare for putting in the closure to South Pembina.

It looks like Fargo reached it's crest today. It's still to early to predict what will happen here so we prepare and we wait.................

Filling Sandbags

2009-03-27T16:22:00.008-05:00

Today we filled sandbags with nearly 100 students from Pembina, Neche and Walhalla. For those of you, like me, who remember filling sandbags with a shovel, outside, in the rain, in 1979, today was quite different. We were able to fill bags inside at three different locations around town. We used the Porta-Bagger machine in the city shop and the new ladder and cone stations made by the shop class at two other buildings. The kids worked hard and were able to fill nearly 10,000 bags. These bags are being stored inside until needed to keep them from freezing.

The sun is shining today and we're trying to get as much done as possible before the next snow that is forecast for Monday. Twamley construction started to close off the dike across the road at the south end of South Pembina.

The flood command center opens tomorrow at the Community Center. Anyone wanting to help can stop by to see what needs to be done.

HC

Getting Ready

2009-03-26T13:26:00.003-05:00

It was a busy day in school today. The shop class is mass producing "ladder and cone" units to be used to fill sandbags and the FACS class was making cookies for some extra energy tomorrow. The Pembina Rec Board is moving some equipment out of storage in South Pembina and the sandbag filling locations are being prepared and loads of sand hauled in. If only the weather would straighten out........

There IS snow

2009-03-25T18:48:00.004-05:00

It snowed all day today.

There was another flood committee meeting today. Here are some highlights...
* The National Guard brought in a back-up generator that can be used for the lift station if the power goes out.
* High school students (including some students from Walhalla) will be filling sand bags on Friday and possibly Monday if needed.
* The command center at the Community Center will open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. People can stop there to volunteer.
* Community members are asked to help fill sand bags on Saturday. Meet at the Community Center at 10:00 a.m.
* They plan to put in the bridge closure to South Pembina on Sunday afternoon.
All this, of course, is subject to change.

There will be a community meeting on Monday evening at 7:00 at the Community Center.

Watching for Snow

2009-03-24T18:21:00.004-05:00

We're watching the weather here and waiting for the snow that is forecast for tonight. The flood gate by the Catholic Church was closed today and back-up generators and pumps were placed at the lift station and at the pump house near Walker's. Pumps are running continuously to try to remove standing water around town. Looking north from the Red River bridge we can see the ice start to break up and flow north.

There was a power outage for a short time around noon today making people nervous about sump pumps. We were reminded to conserve water in the case of power loss to relieve stress on the lift station.

Some members of the Golf Course moved equipment out of the storage shed.

There will be another flood planning meeting tomorrow (Wed) at 4:00 at the City Office.

The Work Continues

2009-03-23T17:31:00.002-05:00

Pumps are running all over town.

With the help of a handful of high school students, a semi load of empty sandbags was unloaded and stored for future use.

Later this afternoon 6 good men and 1 good woman sandbagged the two culverts in South Pembina.

The First Sandbags

2009-03-22T16:24:00.004-05:00

This afternoon a dozen volunteers filled sandbags for culverts and worked on the flood gate in South Pembina.

Flood Meeting - March 19

2009-03-22T13:44:00.005-05:00

Several people attended a flood preparation meeting this afternoon. After several floods there is a pretty complete list of what has to be done and things seem to be well under control.